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Research Papers: Heat Exchangers

# Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation on the Laminar Flow and Heat Transfer in Four Basic Fins of Plate-Fin Heat Exchangers

[+] Author and Article Information
Yinhai Zhu

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, P.R.C.

Yanzhong Li1

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, P.R.C.yzli-epe@mail.xjtu.edu.cn

1

Corresponding author.

J. Heat Transfer 130(11), 111801 (Sep 04, 2008) (8 pages) doi:10.1115/1.2970072 History: Received August 31, 2007; Revised May 14, 2008; Published September 04, 2008

## Abstract

In this paper, four basic fins of the plate-fin heat exchangers, rectangular plain fin, strip offset fin, perforated fin, and wavy fin, are modeled and simulated by taking account of fin thickness, thermal entry effect, and end effect. Three-dimensional numerical simulations on the flow and heat transfer in the four fins are investigated and carried out at laminar flow regime. Validity of the modeling technique is verified by comparing computational results with both corresponding experimental data and three empirical correlations from literatures. Global average Colburn factor ($j$ factor) and friction factor ($f$ factor) and their local 1D streamwise-average distributions along the fins are presented by introducing data reduction method. The heat transfer behaviors in both the developing and developed regions are analyzed by examining variations of the local Nusselt number along the flow direction. It is found that the thermal entry length of the four fins might be expressed in the format of $Le=c1 Rec2 Pr Dh$, which has the same form as the one in a circular tube.

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## Figures

Figure 1

Perspective view of four basic fins in PFHE

Figure 2

CFD models of the four fins

Figure 3

Comparisons of fluid and fin surface temperature between CFD and experiment at Re=285

Figure 4

Comparisons of j and f factors between CFD and correlations

Figure 5

Comparisons of j and f factors among the four fins: (a) j factor and (b) f factor

Figure 6

Local streamwise-average j factor distributions along the four fins at different Re: (a) Re=132.3, (b) Re=285, (c) Re=614, and (d) Re=1323

Figure 7

Pressure distributions along the flow direction of four fins at different Re: (a) Re=132.3, (b) Re=285, (c) Re=614, and (d) Re=1323

Figure 8

Local Nusselt number distributions along flow direction: (a) plain fin, (b) strip offset fin (c) perforated fin, and (d) wavy fin

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