Experimental and Numerical Analyses of Friction Factors in Offset Strip Fin Heat Exchangers

Abstract

Heat transfer in compact heat exchangers is augmented by the introduction of the offset strip fins. With the breakdown of the thermal and hydro boundary layers to boost heat transfer, the fins increase the friction power. Two heat exchangers of different fin geometries structures were built and tested. The results of the study show that the round-edge-fin heat exchanger has the smaller friction factor. A test rig was constructed to measure the friction factor of the offset strip fin heat exchangers with air. A modified hydraulic diameter was used to calculate the main parameters. The computational fluid dynamics package FLUENT was used to predict the flow in the heat exchanger. The numerical investigation was conducted and compared with experimental measurements.