Effective Heat Transfer Enhancement in Finned Tube Heat Exchanger with Different Fin Profiles

During cross flow in a heat exchanger, heat transfer in the front portion of the tube is more compared to back portion of the tube. This is due to less formation of vortices at the backside of the tube. For uniform heat transfer to take place throughout the tube, it is necessary to increase the vortex formation at the rear side of the tube. The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities of improving the flow structure and thereby increasing uniform heat transfer around the tubes by introducing special type of fin arrangement over the tubes. The effect of shape and orientation of the fin on vortex generation and respective heat transfers are studied numerically. It have been identified that by introducing special type of fin arrangement over the tube there is a possibility for increase the vortex formation at the rear portion of the tube, which significantly leads to creation of uniform heat transfer all around the tube. KeywordsHeat exchanger, flow structure, vortex, heat transfer enhancement