Numerical Study on Plate‐Fin Heat Exchangers with Plain Fins and Serrated Fins at Low Reynolds Number

Abstract

A simpler numerical model for plate-fin heat exchangers with plain fins and serrated fins is presented, which incorporates the characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer. The numerical simulations for heat exchangers with two fins at low Reynolds numbers are carried out by employing the simplified model and using the CFD code FLUENT. The results of heat transfer rate and pressure drop in numerical simulations are compared with the experimental results from the literature. It is shown that the results are in good agreement and the numerical model is reasonable and appropriate. The characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer are analyzed and compared based on the numerical results. It is concluded that by applying the average heat transfer coefficient in practice, the heat transfer rate of the primary surface is overestimated, and the heat transfer rate and efficiency of the secondary surface are underestimated. The numerical modeling and conclusions provide the method and theoretical basis for the selection, optimization and analysis of plate-fin heat exchangers.

CFD Simulation of the Heat Transfer Process in a Chevron Plate Heat Exchanger Using the SST Turbulence Model

“…The temperature distribution obtained by simulation can be helpful for selecting the plate material [11]. Thanks to CFD results you can get detailed information about the fluid velocities near the wall in thermal boundary layer, and hence these information enhance the accuracy of the calculation of the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop values [12]. 2D calculations show the influence of the corrugation shape on the performance of plate heat exchangers, but 3D calculations are necessary in order to assess the importance of the corrugation orientation [13].…”

Shape optimization of water-to-water plate-fin heat exchanger using computational fluid dynamics and genetic algorithm

“…According to the research of Wang et al [20], when the average heat transfer coefficient is applied, the heat transfer rate of the primary heat transfer surface is overestimated, and that of the secondary heat transfer surface is underestimated.…”

“…Actually, their values differ more or less according to the fin size [20]. To obtain more precise results, the formula for calculating the comprehensive surface efficiency is modified by defining the convective heat transfer coefficients of the plate and fin as independent parameters.…”

Calculation of Two-Phase Convective Heat Transfer Coefficients of Cryogenic Nitrogen Flow in Plate-Fin Type Heat Exchangers

“…The hydraulic diameters of the flow passage shown in Figure 1 are in the order of a millimeter and design data for this size are not available. On the other hand, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique can provide the flexibility to construct computational models that are easily adapted to physical conditions without the need to construct a large-scale prototype or expensive experimental models, and can directly provide results and detailed information on fluid flow and heat transfer at a relatively low cost and greatly reduce the volume of experimental work required [22][23][24]. Previously, Bhramara et al [25] presented a CFD analysis of two-phase flow of refrigerants inside a horizontal tube with an inner diameter of 0.0085 m and a length of 1.2 m using a homogeneous model under adiabatic conditions.…”