Flow and Heat Transfer From the Annular Fin Heat Exchanger Using Winglet Type Vortex Generators

Abstract

A numerical study of three-dimensional flow and heat transfer from the annular finned tube heat exchanger with built-in delta winglets is carried out. The delta winglets type vortex generators which are placed on the annular fin surface in the neighborhood of the cylinder are used to enhance the heat transfer. The winglets are placed in common flow orientation. Longitudinal vortices develop along the side edge of the delta winglets due to the pressure difference between the front surface (facing the flow) and back surface. These vortices interact with thermal boundary layer and produce a three dimensional swirling flow that mixes near wall fluid with the midstream. Thus the thermal boundary layer is disrupted and heat transfer is enhanced. The investigations are carried out for four different Reynolds number (100, 500 and 1000) and four different angles of attack (35°, 40°, 45°, 50°) for common flow up (CFU) configuration. It is found that heat transfer increases about 11% for Re = 1000 with angle of attack 40°.