Heat transfer enhancement in fin-tube heat exchangers by winglet type vortex generators

Abstract

Numerical investigations of the flow structure and heat transfer enhancement in a channel with a built-in circular tube and a winglet type vortex generator are presented. The geometrical configuration represents an element of a gas-liquid fin-tube crossflow heat exchanger. In the absence of the winglet type vortex generator, relatively little heat transfer takes place in the downstream of the circular tube which is a recirculation region with low velocity fluid. However, in the presence of a winglet type longitudinal vortex generator in the wake region behind the cylinder, heat transfer in this region can be enhanced as high as 240%. Results show a marked increase in overall channel heat transfer. The enhancement shows great promise in reducing the size of the heat exchangers.