Chilled-water cooling and dehumidifying coils with corrugated plate fins: Modelling method

Abstract

Most empirical correlations for determining the fin-side heat and mass-transfer coefficients are applicable to cooling and dehumidifying coils with flat-plate fins only. There are very few heat-transfer data for corrugated-plate fins in the open literature. Among those available, the most comprehensive set of experimental data was that contributed by Beecher and Fagan. On that basis, they, and later Webb, derived heat-transfer correlations for both corrugated and flat fin surfaces. However, these correlations are inadequate for modelling cooling and dehumidifying coils because Beecher and Fagan's data are restricted to dry fins and to a limited range of coil configurations. The paper describes a steady-state model for chilled-water cooling and dehumidifying coils with corrugated-plate fins. This model was developed on the basis of McQuiston's correlations for flat-plate fins but included the use of Webb's correlations to determine a correction factor to make the flat-fin coefficients applicable to coils with corrugated fins. Comparison of the model predictions with manufacturers' data showed that acceptable predictions of sensible and latent heat-transfer rates can be obtained by applying the correction to the sensible heat-transfer coefficient only. The uncertainty in verification of coil model predictions by comparison with manufacturers' data has also been addressed.