Two-dimensional fin efficiency of plate fin-tube heat exchangers under partially and fully wet conditions

Abstract

This paper presents the two-dimensional analysis for the efficiency of continuous plate fin-tube heat exchangers in staggered and in-lined arrangements under the dry, partially wet, and fully wet conditions for different heat transfer coefficient (h=20 W/m2K to h=80 W/m2K) and air relative humidity over the full range from ϕ=0 % to ϕ=100%. It is shown that the fin efficiencies of the staggered arrangement are higher than those for the in-lined arrangement, and the fully wet fin efficiency is 10–20% lower than that for a dry fin. The conventional 1-D sector method underestimates the fin efficiency up to 4 % as compared to the 2-D analysis.