Local and Overall Heat Transfer Characteristics of Fin - Flat Tube Heat Exchanger with Vortex Generators

Local and overall heat transfer characteristics of fin-flat tube heat exchangers with and without vortex generators were investigated. Local heat transfer coefficients were measured with the heat exchanger model using naphthalene sublimation technique. In case of a fin-flat tube heat exchanger without vortex generators, only the horseshoe vortices formed around tubes augment the heat transfer. On the other hand, longitudinal vortices created artificially by vortex generators additionally enhance heat transfer in case of a fin-flat tube heat exchanger with vortex generators. Overall heat transfer coefficients were measured with the prototypes of the fin-flat tube heat exchanger with and without vortex generators in a wind tunnel and results were compared with those of a fin-circular tube heat exchanger with wavy fin. Friction losses for heat exchangers were also measured and compared. The fin-flat tube heat exchanger with vortex generators is found to be more effective than the fin-circular tube heat exchanger with wavy fin.