Numerical study of a round tube heat exchanger with louvered fins and delta winglets

Abstract

Louvered fin and round tube heat exchangers are widely used in air conditioning devices and heat pumps. In this study the effect of punching delta winglet vortex generators in the louvered fin surface is studied numerically. The delta winglets are located in a common-flow-down orientation behind each tube of the staggered tube layout. It is shown that the generated vortices significantly reduce the size of the tube wakes. Three important heat transfer enhancement mechanisms can be distinguished: a better flow mixing, boundary layer thinning and a delay in flow separation from the tube surface. The compound heat exchanger has a better thermal hydraulic performance then when only louvers or only delta winglets are used. Comparison to other enhanced fin designs clearly shows its potential, especially for low Reynolds number applications.