Thermal and flow characteristics of a single-row circular-finned tube heat exchanger under elevated free-stream turbulence

J. A. Moore, J. P.J. Stevenson, R. Grimes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The thermal performance of single-row heat exchangers is generally considered to be inferior to multi-row heat exchangers. It is therefore desirable to optimize the former; especially for those cases which cannot accommodate an alternative. In this study, the heat transfer performance of a single-row circular-finned tube heat exchanger was investigated experimentally under elevated disturbance levels. Specifically, grid-generated turbulence (GGT)-the characteristics of which had been measured beforehand with a hot-wire anemometer-was applied to a clean-flow benchmark case and measurements taken at the heat exchanger outlet. It was shown that when the grid is positioned appropriately, a mean enhancement (in global Nusselt number) of up to 11% can be achieved. Flow visualizations revealed the flow structures responsible for the increase in heat transfer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-57
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow
Volume57
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016

Keywords

  • Grid-generated turbulence
  • Heat exchanger flow visualization
  • Single-row circular finned tubes

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