Shaping a Non-Uniform Inflow of Mediums to Enhance the Performance of a Double-Row Fin-And-Tube Crossflow Heat Exchanger

Abstract

The article presents results of numerical and experimental analyses of a tube-and-fin heat exchanger. The numerous studies performed so far have proved that a non-uniform inflow of mediums in such exchangers may significantly affect their performance. The aim of the analyses presented in this article is to investigate the impact of a non-uniform but controlled inflow of air on the double-row heat exchanger performance. The heat exchanger was first modeled numerically to determine its output at a uniform inflow of the mediums. The same model was used to simulate the heat exchanger operation at a controlled non-uniform inflow of air. Cases of an uncontrolled as well as a controlled non-uniform inflow of gas were next investigated experimentally, using a purpose-designed test station. By controlling the gas inflow, it was possible to significantly enhance the heat exchanger performance, up to 23.3% compared to non-uniform flow. The results show that this positive effect may be even over 6.5% better than a variant with a uniform air inflow. The effects of controlling water inflow were simulated numerically, and results also shown improvement in the device performance, by 6.4% in the analyzed case.