Numerical Simulations of Performance of Plate Fin Tube Heat Exchanger Using Rectangular Winglet Type Vortex Generator with Punched Holes

Heat transfer performance of fin-tube heat exchanger can be enhanced by using longitudinal vortex generators which produces longitudinal vortices. In the present work numerical simulations have been performed to investigate the heat transfer and flow resistance characteristics of rectangular winglet pair type vortex generators (VGs) with punched hole of circular shape (RWPH). RWPH have been placed in Common Flow Down (CFD) and Common Flow Up (CFU) configuration in downstream as well as upstream direction. Heat transfer characteristics and flow behavior have been compared for both the configurations i.e. CFD and CFU, in downstream as well as upstream using Colburn’s factor(j), friction factor(f) and performance evaluation criterion, R = (j/j0)/(f/f0)^1/3. Simultaneously, Reynolds number have been varied from 1400 to 9000. The punched hole considerably improves the thermohydraulic performance of RWP and decreases the flow resistance due to reduction in face area. The result shows the comparison of using RWP with punched hole in different configurations and locations for heat transfer augmentation.