Identification du coefficient de transfert thermique sur la surface externe d'un échangeur de chaleur à tubes et ailettes planes en fonction de l'humidité de l'air, en l'absence de condensation

Abstract

The following study, which is rather oriented towards experimentation, shows the influence of the humidity content of air on heat transfer. This first article concerns heat transfer between the external fluid (moist air) and the internal fluid (water containing glycol, whose thermal behavior inside circular tubes is well-known) in a heat exchanger of the same type as those used in automotive air conditioning (horizontal copper tubes and plane aluminium fins), in the absence of condensation. The most difficult part of this experimental work is the measurement and control of the air humidity, since one has to make sure that the measurement incertainties are not significant compared to the precision of the calculation of the heat transfer coefficient. The conclusion is that, for this type of exchanger, the heat transfer coefficient decreases with air humidity in the absence of condensation (dry wall). Some correlations have been developed with respect to the relative air humidity. An analog experimental investigation, but this time carried out in the presence of condensation (partially or completely wetted wall), is about to be completed; the obtained results will be communicated later on.