Optimum design of finned tube heat exchanger using DOE

Abstract

Heat Exchanger is a device used to transfer heat from one medium to another. This paper discusses the use of Design of Experiments method in optimizing design parameters for design of finned tube heat exchanger (fins are neglected for computational purpose). The effects of four design parameters – tube thickness, tube inner diameter, horizontal and vertical distances between the tubes have been explored. It is investigated numerically using Ansys-CFX. The primary response under this study is the temperature difference and pressure drop. An L9 orthogonal array was used to accommodate the experiments. In this study, it is observed that the most effective parameter found to be the inner diameter and the thickness of the tube among other parameters having more influence at the heat transfer rate.