Optimization of Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of a Plate Fin-tube Heat Exchanger Using CFD

Finned-tube heat exchangers are common and vital components in many energy systems. One primary application affecting a large fraction of any nation is peak electrical power usage for residential air conditioning systems in which the finned-tube heat exchangers are used. Due to very high demand for electric power, quick-starting of turbines or internal combustion units are used to meet peak demand. But with CO 2 , NOX, and particulate emissions being directly tied to energy production and use, there was a need for efficiency improvements in the heat exchanger. Because of the complex nature of the flow and the number of possible heat exchanger designs the flue gas side performance has not been addressed in a comprehensive manner. For typical applications of this type of heat exchangers, the flue gas side resistance is generally the controlling total thermal resistance. In recognition of the need for continual efficiency improvement, which is characterized by a trade-off between heat transfer and pressure drop, this study has been taken up.