A Numerical Investigation on the Performance of Finned Tube Heat Exchangers Having Alternate Arrangements of Flat and Circular Tubes

Abstract

The thermal hydraulic behaviour of finned tube heat exchangers (FTHEs) has been studied numerically by alternating the tube arrangements. Area goodness factor (j/f) and heat transfer rate per unit fan power consumption (Q/Pf ) have been incorporated to evaluate the performance of the FTHEs. Performance ranking of the different configurations of FTHEs has also been obtained by the MOORA method. Heat transfer coefficient of air (h), j/f factor and Q/Pf factor are taken as beneficial attributes whereas, pressure drop penalty is assumed to be a non-beneficial attribute. All attributes own same importance factor. It is found in the investigations thatfinned tube heat exchanger having the flat tube in first row, provides increased h and reduces pressure drop penalty compared to the baseline case.