Heat transfer enhancement in fin-tube heat exchangers by winglet type vortex generators

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 283 - 291
• Main Authors: Biswas, G., Mitra, N.K., Fiebig, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); Temperature distribution; Heat exchanger; Finned tube; Vortex generator; Velocity distribution; Experimental study; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/0017-9310(94)90099-X

Numerical investigations of the flow structure and heat transfer enhancement in a channel with a built-in circular tube and a winglet type vortex generator are presented. The geometrical configuration represents an element of a gas-liquid fin-tube crossflow heat exchanger. In the absence of the winglet type vortex generator, relatively little heat transfer takes place in the downstream of the circular tube which is a recirculation region with low velocity fluid. However, in the presence of a winglet type longitudinal vortex generator in the wake region behind the cylinder, heat transfer in this region can be enhanced as high as 240%. Results show a marked increase in overall channel heat transfer. The enhancement shows great promise in reducing the size of the heat exchangers.