Experimental and numerical studies on heat transfer enhancement for air conditioner condensers using a wavy fin with a rectangular winglet

• Published in: Journal of mechanical science and technology Vol. 34; no. 10; pp. 4307 - 4322
• Main Authors: Chimres, Nares, Chittiphalungsri, Thunyawat, Asirvatham, Lazarus Godson, Dalkılıç, Ahmet Selim, Mahian, Omid, Wongwises, Somchai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers 01.10.2020; Springer Nature B.V; 대한기계학회
• Subjects: Aerodynamics; Air conditioners; Angle of attack; Condensers (liquefiers); Control; Dynamical Systems; Engineering; Fluid flow; Heat transfer coefficients; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Numerical analysis; Numerical methods; Original Article; Parameters; Performance assessment; Pressure drop; Reynolds number; Vibration; Wavy fins; Winglets; 기계공학; Heat transfer enhancement; CFD; Vortex generator; Rectangular winglet; Condenser; Wavy fin
• ISSN: 1738-494X; 1976-3824
• DOI: 10.1007/s12206-020-0921-x

The air side thermal performance of wavy fins with rectangular winglets are studied using experimental and numerical methods. The following parameters are selected for investigation: the attack angle, placed location, span and length of the rectangular winglet. The results show that all parameters affect the thermal performance of the air side. The best configurations of the winglet that provide the maximum j/f( 1/3) for both winglet lengths are the 3.5 mm horizontal distance, 7 mm vertical distance, 60° attack angle and 1.25 mm winglet span. Moreover, the thermal performance comparisons between the optimal design of the wavy fin with winglet and normal wavy fin are reported. Wavy fins with winglets provide a larger heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop and j/f (1/3) than those of normal wavy fins. For the j/f (1/3) comparison, wavy fins with winglets provide a j/f (1/3) greater than that of normal wavy fins by 5.4–14.6 %, with the Reynolds number ranging from 1650 to 4423.