Fin-tube heat exchanger enclosed by a compartment

Researchers : Changkeun Son, Yeojeong Kim

Motivation & Objectives

    - It is impossible to simulate the case with large range of the geometric length scales such as Heat Exchanger in the bonnet using LES.

    - Only a few previous studies using high-fidelity LES simulations on fin-tube heat exchanger with a compartment.

    - A relatively wide range of length scales can require too much computational resources.

    - Accurate prediction of complex flow and heat transfer phenomena in a fin-tube heat exchanger with a compartment using LES.

    - In order to reduce the computational overhead from wide range of length scale of heat exchanger, a novel simulation technique was developed.

Achievements

    - Complex turbulent flows were predicted accurately using LES that produces a better agreement with MRV data than RANS(k-ε) model.

    - A novel simulation model for heat exchanger was developed to reduce the computational overhead.

     : Using empirical factors and geometric homogeneity, a coarse mesh resolution replaces a lot of grids in fin-tube region.

       Issues with the previous studies of the heat transfer were resolved using a new model.

       - A new model represent the effects of diffusion and advection.

       - The new model shows better agreement with the heat transfer rate of the case with a compartment than the previous models.

Flow fields

    - Comparison of the instantaneous flow fields.

      : Important flow structures such as upward, reverse flow around a heat exchanger look similar to each other.