Optimization investigation for heat transfer enhancement of fins for plate-fin heat exchangers in cryogenic helium systems

Abstract

In order to further improve heat transfer performance and high compactness of plate-fin heat exchangers (PFHEs) in cryogenic helium systems, a new type of perforated-serrated fins is proposed by combining traditional serrated and perforated fins. In this paper, the flow and heat transfer characteristics of helium in perforated-serrated fins and serrated fins channels at low-temperature are investigated using numerical simulations. The numerical model invokes the properties of low-temperature helium by NIST-Real-Gas-Model. Meanwhile, Colburn factor j, friction factor f and JF factor are qualitatively evaluated for pressure drop, heat transfer performance and thermo-hydraulic performance, respectively. The results show that new perforated-serrated fins have better heat transfer performance. The j factor of the new fins increases by 32.58% to 15.63% compared with serrated fins. The flow performance of perforated-serrated fins is slightly worse than that of serrated fins, but the overall thermo-hydraulic performance is better, especially at low Reynolds number. Compared with serrated fins, the JF factor of perforated-serrated fins is significantly higher and increase by 25.95% to 10.86%. The optimizing method of fins structure can be used in the actual design of PFHEs in cryogenic helium systems.