Flow Visualization of a Heat Exchanger Using Water Surface Particle Tracing Technique (A Mixture of Water, White Water Paint and Surface Active Agent was Used as Tracer)

In order to understand the internal flow pattern of a heat exchanger, new method flow visualization is developed using water paint instead of the aluminum powder or saw dust in conventional way. A mixture of water and white water paint adding a little amount of surface active agent is adopted to obtain the internal flow pattern of heat exchanger without sticking of tracer to the model surface. The mixture liquid having weight ratio of water, white water paint and surface active agent 4:1:1/2000 shows the best condition for visualization. Using this tracer, it is possible to trace the time-line and the streak-line around the model clearly. Various kinds of fin arrangement of the exchanger are tested.