Advanced microchannel heat exchanger with S-shaped fins

Abstract

Fin shape effects on thermal-hydraulic characteristics were studied for a MicroChannel Heat Exchanger (MCHE) with S-shaped fins using 3D-CFD and changing the fin parameters: fin angle, overlapping length, fin width, fin length, and edge roundness. The fin angle effect on the pressure drop is consistent with the equation obtained experimentally by Weisbach for a circular bent tube: the pressure drop in the S-shaped fin configuration results from bent flow. The overlap of fins with those located immediately downstream at the offset position provides a guide wing effect that reduces the pressure drop remarkably. The overlap was changed by changing the fin radial position and arc length. The pressure drop was minimized when the downstream fins are placed in the middle of the bent flow channels formed by the fins upstream, which differs from Ito's configuration obtained from experiments with a single bent duct. Regarding arc length, the pressure drop is minimized at the standard overlapping length, which was formed to have the longest arc without a change in channel width. Shorter arc lengths from the optimum value by 30 and 50%, respectively, give 2.4 and 4.6% decreases in the heat transfer rate and 17 and 13% increases in the pressure drop. Thinner fins show better thermal-hydraulic performance for fin widths of 0.2-0.8 mm. However, the pressure drop reduced by the longer fin and heat transfer rate was also reduced. Rounded fins with 0.1 mm radius increased the pressure drop by about 30% compared with that of the fin designed with no roundness.