Effect of fin and tube configuration on heat transfer of an internally finned tube

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of an internally finned tube for different flow conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical investigation have been performed by solving the conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy with two equation-based k-eps model to determine the wall temperature, outlet temperature and Nusselt number of an internally finned tube.

Findings

It has been found from the numerically investigation that there exists an optimum fin height and fin number for maximum heat transfer. It was also found that the heat transfer in T-shaped fin was highest compared to other shape. The saw type fins had a higher heat transfer rate compared to the plane rectangular fins having same surface area and the heat transfer rate was increasing with teeth number. Keeping the surface area constant, the shape of the duct was changed from cylindrical to other shape and it was found that the heat transfer was highest for frustum shape compared to other shape.

Practical implications

The present computations could be used to predict the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of an internal finned tube specifically used in chemical and power plants.

Originality/value

The original contribution of the paper was in the use of the two equation-based k-eps turbulent model to predict the maximum heat transfer through optimum design of fins and duct.

Citation

Mohapatra, K. and Mishra, D.P. (2015), "Effect of fin and tube configuration on heat transfer of an internally finned tube", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 25 No. 8, pp. 1978-1999. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-05-2014-0129