Flow Visualization in the Louvered Fin Heat Exchanger

The purpose of this study was to find factors to improve the performance of louvered fins through visualization of air flow in the louvered portion of the fins. As part of this study, three dimensional enlarged models were used to visualize and examine the basic flow in the fins. Also, more complicated flows induced by bend configuration (or inclination of fins), which are caused by large fin pitch, have been visualized and examined. The latter flow pattern could not be observed in two dimensional models.