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Conjugate heat transfer of a finned oval tube. Part A: Flow patterns

Journal Article · · Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications
; ;  [1]
  1. Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum (Germany). Institut fuer Thermo- und Fluiddynamik

If a large difference in heat transfer coefficients between two sides of an indirect heat exchanger occurs, the transfer area on the side with the lower transfer coefficient is enlarged with fins. A finned tube heat exchanger is one of the most often used compact heat exchanges in automobiles, air-conditioners, and chemical industries. Here, flow and conjugate heat transfer in a high-performance finned oval tube heat exchanger element have been calculated for a thermally and hydrodynamically developing three-dimensional laminar flow. The influence of Reynolds number in the range 100--500 has been studied. Computations have been performed with a finite volume method based on the SIMPLEC algorithm for pressure correction. Flow patterns and pressure distributions are presented. A helical vortex in the tube wake is observed. The shape of the separation zone in the tube wake shows a paraboloid.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
624106
Journal Information:
Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications, Journal Name: Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 33; ISSN NHAAES; ISSN 1040-7782
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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