Effect of Tube Arrangement on Performance of Rectangular Finned Elliptical Tube Bundles

Abstract:

A standard kε model was used to analyze the performance of staggered row and staggered column arrangements with different tube pitches. The results show that staggered column structure is superior to staggered row arrangement in performance. As transverse tube pitch has a large impact on staggered row arrangement, staggered column structure is not sensitive to tube pitches. Staggered row arrangement is more sensitive to Reynolds number than staggered column arrangement. Based on the analysis of temperature field and flow field, it is found that the flow field of staggered row structure is similar to that of staggered round tube bundles. Besides, staggered column structure enhances heat transfer through fins as well as tubes. The big air side pressure loss of this structure is mainly caused by the large inlet loss.

Key words:automotive wind tunnel heat exchanger; rectangular finned elliptical tube bundles; flow and heat transfer performance; staggered row; staggered column