Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Over A Bank of Longitudinally Finned Flat Tubes: A Numerical Study

Abstract

This computational study investigates the heat transfer rate and fluid flow characteristics of a staggered arrangement of longitudinally finned flat tube banks ( ) with a constant surface temperature. The finite volume method ( ) is used to solve the governing equations using the commercial software . This study considers longitudinal pitch ratios ( ). In addition, the dimensionless transverse pitch ratio ( )=3 and both the dimensionless upstream fin length ratio ( )= ( ) =0.8 is the dimensionless fin angle . The focus of the investigation is a Reynolds number range between  with constant physical properties. The analysis examines pressure drop, dimensionless heat transfer rate, and the average Nusselt number. Results indicate that as Reynolds numbers increase and dimensionless longitudinal pitch ratios decrease, the heat transfer rate between tube surfaces and airflow increases to reach maximum value of 275. In addition, the Reynolds number affects the pressure drop, Began number, average Nusselt number, and thermal hydraulic performance.