Review of experimentation and modeling of heat and mass transfer performance of fin-and-tube heat exchangers with dehumidification

Abstract Currently, fin-and-tube heat exchangers (FTHEs) are widely employed in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. The proper simulation of FTHEs is crucial for evaluating their thermal performance under various operating conditions and for optimal design, especially under wet conditions that involve simultaneous heat and mass transfer phenomena. In this study, the heat and mass transfer correlations derived experiments for FTHEs under wet conditions have been tabulated. The experimental investigations conducted over the last few decades on the heat transfer characteristics of FTHEs under fully and partially wet conditions were reviewed. The significant factors related to thermal enhancement, such as heat exchanger geometry and air parameters, are analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, a comprehensive set of literature is reviewed with focus on the steady models of FTHEs under wet condition, and in relation to the principles, features, and process line in the enthalpy–humidity ratio diagram. A summary of the comparative findings under wet conditions is provided, which may be treated as an initial process step in order to understand the status and future directions of research. Some recommendations for future research are included, and finally, the main conclusions are presented.