An Elliptical Tube Array as a Cross Flow Heat Exchanger

Airside heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of a single array cross flow heat exchanger, made of elliptical tubes, were studied. The heat exchanger, consists of 18 tubes each of 30 cm long with 0.30 minor to major outside axis ratio and equally spaced by 0.61 cm gap, was oriented in a 30 cm by 30 cm test section of a wind tunnel with the major axis parallel to the air flow. Tests were performed with hot water flowing inside the tubes, while cold air flowing across them externally. The mean temperature difference between the approaching air and the surface of the tubes was maintained at roughly 14±2°C. Reynolds number based on the mean free stream air velocity and hydraulic diameter of the elliptical tube was varied from 4500 to 15000, while that based on the mean water velocity inside the tube was altered from 1400 to 7400. The results showed that the heat transfer rate increased with the airflow rate in a power law relationship, giving an average Nusselt number on the airside, which varied with the corresponding Reynolds number also in a power law manner. The results were compared with previously established similar studies and correlations.