CFD Simulation of Fin-and-Tube Heat Exchanger with Louvered Fin Configuration:Technical Note

Heat exchanger plays a major role in almost all mechanical industries. Enhancement of heat transfer surface plays major role in numerous applications such as in heat exchangers, refrigeration and air conditioning systems etc. This paper examines the fluid flow and heat exchange on the air side of a multi-row fin-and-tube heat exchanger. A brief comparison is given between fin-and-tube heat exchanger attributes with louvered fins in a wider range of operating conditions defined by inlet air velocities. The brief representation on the calculated data for the louvered heat exchanger shows better heat transfer characteristics with a slightly higher pressure drop. The CFD procedure is validated by comparing the numerical simulation results with different inlet air velocities. Best combination of higher heat transfer and minimum pressure drop are occurred in inlet air velocity of 2.5 m/s.