Accepted Manuscript

Free and forced convection on the outer surface of vertical longitudinally finned
tubes

Beata Niezgoda-Żelasko, Jerzy Żelasko

PII: S0894-1777(14)00103-4
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2014.04.014
Reference: ETF 8206

To appear in: Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

Received Date: 16 November 2013

Revised Date: 10 April 2014
Accepted Date: 10 April 2014

Please cite this article as: B. Niezgoda-Żelasko, J. Żelasko, Free and forced convection on the outer surface of
vertical longitudinally finned tubes, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science (2014), doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/
j.expthermflusci.2014.04.014

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 Free and forced convection on the outer surface of vertical longitudinally finned tubes

Beata Niezgoda-ĩHODVNR 1, -HU]\ĩHODVNR

Institute for Thermal and Process Engineering, Cracow University of Technology
DO-DQD3DZáD,,-864 Kraków, Poland

Keywords: free convection, forced convection, vertical finned tubes, heat transfer coefficients

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the heat transfer process on the outer

surface of longitudinally finned tubes. Experimental values of heat transfer coefficients under free and

forced convection conditions were calculated for low air flow velocities. Two air flow patterns were

analysed, i.e. airflow parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the pipe. The mean values of heat

transfer coefficients obtained during the study amounted to 2-8.5 (Wm-2K-1) under free convection

conditions, 4.5-19 (Wm-2K-1) for forced transverse flow and 4-11 (Wm-2K-1) for forced convection

along the axis of the tube. Experimental values of heat transfer coefficients for transverse flow around

the tube were 22% higher than heat transfer coefficients for airflow along the axis of the tube. The

paper lists the dimensionless relationships which can be used to calculate the values of the heat

transfer coefficient under free and mixed convection conditions, with transverse and longitudinal air

flow around the outer surface of vertical longitudinally finned tubes.

1. Introduction

Heat exchangers with enhanced surfaces can be used as heaters, coolers, air coolers, and cross-

current regenerative plate heat exchangers. The exchangers are commonly used in cooling and air-

conditioning technologies, as well as in the automotive industry and power engineering. A heat

transfer surface enhancement on the fluid side with low heat transfer coefficient values and relatively

low flow resistances offsets that side’s low values of overall heat transfer coefficients in heat

1
Corresponding author. Tel.: +48 12628 3588; fax: +48 12 648 5771.
E-mail address: bniezgo@mech.pk.edu.pl

1
exchangers with a moderate increase of fan pumping power and while maintaining the compact

structure of the heat exchanger. The heat transfer surface may be enhanced in a variety of ways and the

exact method results from the structure and operating conditions of the exchanger. In cooling and air-

conditioning heat exchangers, transversally finned tubes are used if the air flows perpendicularly to the

tube axis. Straight fins are used in plate exchangers to delineate the channels through which gas flows

among the plates of the exchanger [1]. Longitudinally finned tubes, as well as membranous surfaces

are used in power engineering, in steam air heaters, convection steam heaters and water heaters [2]. In

such exchangers, tubes are arranged horizontally and the fluid flows transversely to the axes of the

tubes.

Flat (continuous) fins on array of tubes are also used as heat pump evaporators, with external air as

the cold heat source. Such exchangers most often consist of horizontal tubes and external airflow is

forced by fans. This structure of the evaporator guarantees compactness; however, it leads to intensive

frosting of the exchanger and therefore to decreased thermal efficiency of the heat pump (due to

energy loss resulting from fan operation and defrosting of the exchanger).

The forced flow of gas transversally to the axis of individually finned or lamellated (continuous

fins on an array of tubes) tubes makes heat transfer coefficients on the gas side relatively high. For

transversally lamellated tubes, the heat transfer coefficients fall within the range of 10-80 Wm-2s-1 (or

front velocities of 0.25-3 ms-1). For lamellated tubes they are ca. 12% lower than for tubes with

circular fins (according to the equations included in [3], assuming the same front velocity, geometrical

parameters and the 2.6 ratio of substitute fin height). In the case of longitudinal flow around

membrane tubes, the heat transfer coefficients amount to 10-100 Wm-2s-1 (for average flow velocities

of 1.2-7ms-1, depending on the tube distance scales)[4]. For the same flow velocities and tube distance

scales, the heat transfer coefficients in the case of a staggered tube arrangement are ca. 20% higher

than in the case of an in-line arrangement.

Thanks to the loose vertical arrangement of longitudinally finned tubes [5] in the heat pump

evaporator, no fan needs to be installed. In this case, air flow is only dependent on external conditions

which may reflect free or forced convection conditions. A key issue related to designing such

evaporators is calculating the air side heat transfer coefficient, which determines the overall heat

2
transfer coefficient and the heat transfer surface area. In the case of lamellated or transversely finned

horizontal pipes there are various equations which make it possible to calculate the air side heat

transfer coefficient, including those by Schmidt [3], Norris and Spoford [6], [7] Wang and Chi [8]

Stasiulevisius and Survila [9] and Briggs and Young [8],[10] Ganguli and Yilmaz [8]. In the case of

longitudinally finned tubes, it is necessary to differentiate between tubes fitted with single ribs or

membrane tubes and tubes where ribs are situated centrally and symmetrically along the circumference

of the entire tube. For both types, various reference works propose equations for transverse air flow

around a bank of tubes. Papers [2] and [11] present the methods used for calculating local and mean

heat transfer coefficients for transverse air flow around horizontal membrane tubes or double-finned

tubes under forced convection. Papers [4] and [12] describe the sublimating naphthalene method used

to determine the heat transfer coefficient for forced transverse flow of exhaust gas around a horizontal

triple-ribbed bank of tubes. Paper [13] presented the results of experimental studies on the impact of

the location of the fins (at the front or back of the tube), as well as of fin thickness and the geometry of

their tips on the intensity of the heat transfer process and the values of flow resistances in the case of

transverse air flow around longitudinally-finned tubes. Similar solutions applicable to tubes with an

elliptical cross-section (30mmx15mm) were discussed in [14]. The study was carried out to investigate

single vertical tubes with a height of 125mm, on which 20mm fins were mounted at the front or the

back, as well both at the front and at the back. The research made it possible to develop dimensionless

equations for heat transfer coefficients and flow resistances for transverse air flow under forced

convection conditions.

The influence of a single longitudinal straight fin located on the outer surface of a horizontal

cylinder on the natural convection heat transfer process was analysed in [15]. Tolpadi and Kuehn [15]

found a slight influence of the fin on the averaged value of the heat transfer coefficient with respect to

a smooth tube. The results of their studies indicated differences in the measured local and mean heat

transfer coefficients for fins other than vertical ones.

Paper [16] uses the Seider-Tate relationship [17] to determine the heat transfer coefficients for

forced longitudinal air flow around longitudinally finned tubes in the optimisation process of shell and

tube heat exchangers without partitions. A key element of the Seider-Tate relationship is the definition

3
 of the characteristic dimension which reflects the hydraulic diameter based on the cross-sectional area

of the flow and the wetting perimeter. Such a definition of the characteristic dimension allows for the

application of the Seider-Tate relationship to tubes with any number of longitudinal fins.

Problems related to a numerical analysis of heat transfer processes under free convection on

the surface of longitudinal fins are often examined for flow inside longitudinally-finned tubes

[18],[19]. Paper [20] presents a numerical analysis of the impact of the thickness, height and number

of fins in the free convection process on the distribution of velocities, temperatures and heat flux

outside a horizontal cylindrical surface with longitudinal fins. The authors note that the maximum heat

flux released by the finned surface can be achieved for fins thinner than 0.01m (within the considered

range of between 0.01-0.05) and for heights not greater than 0.2 m. The maximum heat fluxes released

by the finned surface were recorded for between 6 and 12 fins.

Publication [21] includes a numerical analysis of the influence of free convection on the increase of

flow resistances and the heat transfer process occurring during laminar flow in a vertical ring pipe with

longitudinal fins located at the outer tube. The authors analysed the influence of the number of fins

and the relationship between the diameters of the channel’s tubes on an increase of flow resistances

and heat transfer coefficients. As a result of the numerical calculations, critical values of the Rayleigh

number were obtained, at which there was clear influence of free convection on an increase of heat

transfer coefficients. Among other things, it was indicated that the fewer fins there are, the closer the

relationship between the outer tube diameter and the inner tube diameter, and the shorter the fin, the

lower the value of the critical Rayleigh number and the greater the influence of free convection on the

increase of heat transfer coefficients in the forced convection process. The critical Rayleigh numbers

identified in [21] fitted within the range of 20 to 104.

2. Definition of the problem

Fig.1 This paper analyses the heat transfer process on the external surface of a vertical bi-metallic tube

with eight longitudinal aluminium fins situated central-symmetrically along the perimeter of the tube,

with an inner core in the form of a copper pipe (Fig.1). Such tubes are frequently used in heat pump

evaporators which are not fitted with fans. As evaporators operate under normal external conditions

4
 and the tubes are freely arranged, the tubes of the evaporator are not grouped into banks, but are

located loosely. Null and low velocities of external air flowing from variable directions require the

surface of the heat exchanger to be considerably enhanced (16 times with respect to the outer surface

of the tubes), which is achieved thanks to the right length and a wavy shape of the fins, as well as their

axisymmetric arrangement. A loose vertical arrangement of the tubes helps to achieve natural

defrosting of the exchanger. For operational and design-related reasons, the heat transfer conditions on

the external surface of the tubes correspond to both free convection conditions and forced convection

conditions at low flow velocities during longitudinal or transverse flow around the tubes.

The goal of this experimental study is to determine the heat transfer coefficients on the

external surface of vertical tubes with longitudinal fins, during longitudinal and transverse airflow

under free and forced convection conditions.

3. Description of the measurement stand and methods

The experimental studies were conducted for a system including two 2m-tall vertical tubes,

whose axes were set apart at a distance of Sq=0.2306 m. The studies were conducted as two

alternatives, with longitudinal or transverse flow of air around the tubes. Longitudinal airflow was

achieved by locating the finned tubes in a vertical ventilation shaft with a circular cross-section, a

diameter of F0,5m and a length of Lp=5m (Fig. 2a). Air flow was forced by an axial fan pumping air

through a stream equaliser, a stabilisation section and the measurement section itself. In this case,

Fig. 2 ice water at a temperature of 7°C was channelled into the tubes, having been previously produced in

an ice-water generator (Fig. 2a).

Investigations focusing on transverse flow were carried out in a horizontal channel with a

rectangular flow cross-section of 2x0.464m and a length of Lp=2.5 m (Fig. 2b). Air was pumped using

a transverse fan through a stream equaliser with proper meshing into the right measurement section in

the investigated tubes.

Measurements for transverse airflow around the tubes were performed after the tubes were fed with

ice water or R407C and R507 refrigerants. When air was cooled using the cooling fluids, the tubes

made part of an evaporator system of a cooling device. Two shell heat exchangers fitted with electric

5
heaters were an additional component of the evaporator of the cooling system. The exchangers were

located downstream and upstream of the investigated tubes (Fig. 2b). The measurement capacity of the

presented stand is greater than it results from the requirements of the analysed experiment. The

measurement stand is fitted with a system of electric heaters located upstream and downstream of the

actual measurement section, which makes it possible to conduct research involving refrigerants with

different degrees of vapour dryness at the inlet and outlet of the investigated measurement section.

For both airflow patterns, the volumetric flow rate of the air was regulated using a frequency

changer and air velocity was measured using a Pitot tube (F m). Eighteen NiCr-NiAl

thermocouples were located on the external surface of the finned tubes, in order to enable the

measurement of temperature at the external surface of the pipe and at the tips of the fins (Fig. 1). All

the thermocouples were calibrated using a Quartz-35 calibration furnace (with a calibration accuracy

of ±0,15K). The thermocouples were located at one of the tubes, at two levels: 0.2 and 1.6m.

When the tubes were fed with ice water, the heat flux transferred from the air to the water was

calculated using the heat balance of the exchanger on the water side (Formula 1).

Q  Vw R w c pw Twout Twin (1)

The water temperatures at the outlet and at the inlet of the exchanger were measured using

PT100(7013) Hart Scientific resistance thermometers. In order to ensure high accuracy of the

measurement of the temperature difference between the wall and the refrigerant, the sensors were

calibrated in the full expected temperature range. The calibration was performed for the horizontal

channel located in a cooling chamber with a controlled temperature level. Following the installation of

all the sensors (thermocouples and resistance sensors) at the measurement stand, calibration was

performed using precision sensors (Pt100(7013)). During the calibration, air temperature in the

cooling chamber was maintained at a level corresponding to the temperature of the refrigerant. The

precise (tube wall and fluid) temperature difference measurement system created in this way has an

accuracy comparable to the precision of Pt100(7013) sensors. The accuracy of a classical system used

in such measurement is much lower.

6
 The volume flux of water was measured using a Hoffer turbine flow meter. The measurement values

were supplemented with the measurement of the temperature of external air using PT100(7013) Hart

Scientific resistance thermometers and air humidity measurements (Table 1).

Tab. 1

When the investigated tubes were fed with the cooling fluid, the heat flux transferred from the air

was calculated using the heat balance equation on the side of the boiling refrigerant:

Q  m R hRout hRin (Q HEAT 1  Q HEAT 2 ) (2)

In this case, the mass flux of the refrigerant was measured using a Mass 6000 Coriolis mass flow

meter, installed on the liquid line of the cooling circuit. The enthalpy of the refrigerant at the inlet and

outlet from the evaporator of the cooling system were determined using RefproP.exe software [22],

following earlier measurement of the temperatures and pressures of the refrigerant. The temperature of

the refrigerant was measured using PT100(7013) Hart Scientific resistance thermometers located in

special measurement sleeves installed at the pipe elbows of the cooling installation. Pressure

measurements were carried out using Vegabar pressure transmitters. Wattmeters were used to measure

the power of Heat 1and Heat 2 electric heaters (Tab. 1).

3.1 Calculation of the mean values of heat transfer coefficients

The heat transfer coefficients of the air were obtained using two methods. The first method

involved the calculation of the mean experimental values of the overall heat transfer coefficient UAw

(2-4) and the mean heat transfer coefficients ARfor the cooling medium (5-7):

Q
U Aw  , (3)
Aw • $Tm

$Tm 
Taout TRin Tain TRout
, (4)
¤ T TRin ³
ln¥¥ aout ´´
¦ Tain TRout µ

Q
AR  , (5)
Aw • Twalli TR

Q
Twalli  Twallo R, (6)
Aw

7
 di § 1 ¤ d o1 ³ 1 ¤ d o ³¶
R  ¨ ln¥¥ ´´  ln¥¥ ´´· . (7)
2 ©¨ k Al ¦ d o µ k cu ¦ d i µ¸·

The mean temperature of the outer wall Twallo was calculated as the arithmetical mean of the

temperature of the outer wall along the circumference of the investigated tubes.

Using formulas (2-8) and (9-10) and solving equation (8) concerning the heat transfer coefficient

(finned surface) for Aa for each measurement point, the heat transfer coefficient for air was calculated

[8],[23]:

1
k Aw  , (8)
1 Aw
R
AR A a • RCJ • E fin • A fin  At

tanh mh fin

E fin  , (9)
mh fin

2 • RCJ • A a
m . (10)
k Al • s

Notwithstanding the heat transfer coefficient, the heat flux transferred by the fin depends on the

difference in temperatures between the foot of the fin and air temperature, fin efficiency and its surface

area. The higher the fin, the lower its efficiency. In the case under consideration, the fin is treated as a

prismatic straight fin with a height resulting from its heat transfer surface area. Hence, according to

[3], fin efficiency is calculated using equation (9). The height of the fin hfin in formula (9) corresponds

to the substitute height of a straight fin with a length of L and the actual fin surface area of:

A fin
h fin  (11)
n fin • L

The openness of the RCJ process [23], [24] applied to formulas (8) and (10) makes it possible to take

into consideration the impact of condensation of water vapour from the air on the increase in the heat

flux transferred by air to ice water. If the temperature of the cooler ( Twallo ) is above dew point, then the

cooling process takes place without any change to air humidity, Xa=const, and the condition line

$h
coefficient of the transformation tends to infinity H  l c [25]). Otherwise, humidity is
$X

condensed on the heat transfer surface. The air cooling process on the surface of the cooler may be

8
treated as the mixing of two air streams: air with the parameters, temperature and relative humidity

corresponding to those of the cooler’s surface (Ta=Twallo, Fa=100%) and an air stream with inlet

parameters. The total heat flux transferred by the air to the heat transfer surface is the sum of the

visible heat flux Q v - related to a change in air temperature and the sensible heat flux Q s related to the

condensation of water vapour. The balance of the heat transferred by the air to the surface of the

exchanger may be expressed by the following equation:

Q  Q v  Qs  E fin • Afin  At Ta Twallo A a  E fin • Afin  At X a X wall B a hg (12)

Equation (12) may be transformed to form (14) using Lewis’s psychometric relationship for humid air

(Chilton–Colburn heat and mass exchange analogy) describing the relationship between the heat

transfer coefficient Aa and the mass transfer coefficient B A (13) [26]:

Aa
 c pa Le 2 / 3 y c pa (13)
Ba

§ X X wall a Bhg ¶ § X a X wall hg ¶

Q  E fin • A fin  At Ta Twallo A ¨1  a ·  E fin • A fin  At Ta Twallo A ¨1  (14)
© Ta
Twallo
A ¸ ©¨ Ta Twallo c pa ·¸·

For humid air it is assumed that Le 2 / 3 y 1 [26]. The expression in the rectangular brackets in equation

(14) describes the RCJ coefficient used in equations (8) and (10):

hg X a X wall
RCJ  1  , (15)
c pa Ta Twallo

where X wall is the degree of humidity of saturated air at temperature Twallo

0,622 • p w Twallo
X wall  . (16)
10 5 p w Twallo

Equation (14) is ultimately reduced to the following form:

Q  E fin • A fin  At • Ta Twallo • A a • RCJ (17)

Where the heat and mass transfer process on the surface of the cooler has been described using a heat

transfer process with a substitute heat exchange coefficient equal to the ratio of the heat transfer

coefficient of dry air Aa and the RCJ coefficient. The value of the RCJ coefficient may be determined

on the basis of equations (15-16). An alternative method of determining the value of the coefficient is

based on the use of the gradient of the change H The RCJ coefficient in fact represents the ratio of the

9
total heat flux transferred by the air and the visible heat flux. In addition, it needs to be observed that

the relationship between the RCJ coefficient and the change gradient H for the air cooling process is

RCJ=(1-H The gradient Hcan be read from the graph for humid air using a protractor ($hs/$ht) of

the psychometric graph for humid air [25].

The second method for determining the coefficient of heat transfers of dry air Aa arises from the

use of the formula (17).Using formulas (9-11, 15-16), formula (17) was solved for Aa at every

measurement point. Both of the presented methods used to determine the mean heat transfer

coefficient of the air side may be used interchangeably in the case under consideration. In the

presented study, the second measurement method served to verify the results of the first measurement

method.

3.2 Calculation of local values of heat transfer coefficients

Local values of heat transfer coefficients were determined on the basis of temperature

measurements at the base and tips of the fins.

The following function is the solution of the energy equation for a straight prismatic fin [26]:

$T x  T x Ta  F1 • e m• x  F2 • e m• x . (18)

Constants F1 and F2 are calculated on the basis of boundary conditions, which take on the following

form in the case under consideration:

$T x  0  Twallo Ta , (19)

$T x  h fin  T f Ta . (20)

Relationships (18-20) enable the determination of integration constants F1 and F2:

Ta Twallo • e m•h fin

 T f Ta
F1  , (21)
2 • sinh m • h fin

Ta Twallo • e m•h fin

 T f Ta
F2  , (22)
2 • sinh m • h fin

10
Local values of heat transfer coefficients for air were determined on the basis of the condition of

equality of the heat flux absorbed by the fin ( Q fin ) and the external surface of the tube without fins

( Q o ) to the heat flux from the air to the cooling fluid [26]

Q  Q fin  Q o . (23)
n fin

Heat fluxes Q fin and Q o are determined using the following relationships (24-25) [26]:

dT
Q fin  k Al • A fin1 •  k Al • A fin1 • m • F1 F2 , (24)
dx x o

Q o  RCJ • A loc • Ao1 • Ta Twallo . (25)

Formulas (10), (21-22), (24-25) make it possible to calculate the local values of heat transfer

coefficients Aloc on the basis of formula (23).

The heat flux corresponding to the heat transfer surface area Afin1+Ao1 (for a single fin) was

determined using the heat balance of the investigated exchanger (eq.2). In this case, the change of the

heat flux at the tube circumference with respect to its mean value was taken into consideration

according to the following relationship:

¤ Q ³ 
¥ ´  Q • $Ti . (26)
¥n ´
¦ fin µ i n fin $T

The goal of studying the local heat transfer coefficients was to perform a qualitative analysis of the

distribution of heat transfer coefficients along the perimeter and heights of the investigated tubes. In

addition, the research was used to compare directly measured mean heat transfer coefficients Aa with

the mean heat transfer coefficients determined on the basis of the distribution of local values of A loc .

Due to the number of measurement points and the complex procedure used to determine the

coefficients Aloc, local values of heat transfer coefficients were only calculated for free and forced

(horizontal channel) convection at the maximum investigated air flow velocity.

4. Results of experimental studies

11
 Experimental investigations of heat transfer coefficients on the outer surface of longitudinally

finned tubes were conducted within the following range of parameters:

- airflow velocity 0”Wain” (m·s-1),

- air Reynolds number (0”5H”6300),

- air temperature 12”Ta” (oC),

- velocity of water flowing in the tubes 0,06”Ww” (m·s-1),

- density of the mass flux of coolants 90 a G R a 260 (kg·m-2·s-1),

- water temperature TR=7 (oC),

- evaporation temperature -25”TR”-5 (oC),

- heat capacity 200 a Q a 3700 (W).

Table 2 shows the measurement accuracy of values which were not directly measured:

Tab.2

As mentioned before, in the completed experimental studies, airflow could be forced by means

of a fan. The operation of the fan determined the nature of the heat transfer process: free convection

(the fan is off, it is assumed that Waу0 ms-1) and mixed convection (the fan is on and Waт0 ms-1).

4.1.Free convection

Measurements of the distribution of temperatures at the base of the fin, along its perimeter and

height have been shown in

Fig. 3 Figures 3a and 3c. relationships (18-26) and the obtained measurement results have been used to

determine the local values of heat transfer coefficients along the perimeter of the tube (Fig. 3b and 3d).

Similarly to the results of the studies presented in [15], the results of the measurements indicate an

equal distribution of heat transfer coefficients along the perimeter of the tube for heat transfer under

free convection conditions. Slightly higher values of heat transfer coefficients for the air have been

recorded in the bottom part of the investigated tubes. In general, greater temperature differences

Ta-Twallo correspond to higher values of coefficients Aloc. In the upper part of the investigated tube,

water temperature was higher than at the tube inlet. Under free convection, the buoyancy force is

12
 proportional to the difference in air density caused by a difference in temperatures at the wall and at a

large distance from the wall. A greater buoyancy force corresponds to higher airflow velocities and

therefore more intensive mixing of the fluid and an increased heat transfer coefficient.

Fig. 4 Heat transfer coefficients for air calculated on the basis of relationships (1-16) and (9-17) have been

shown in figure 4a, as a function of the mean difference in air temperatures and mean temperature on

the outer surface of the tube. Irrespective of the case under consideration (vertical or horizontal

channel) the obtained values of heat transfer coefficients were very similar. It also needs to be noted

that the values of heat transfer coefficients obtained with the use of the two measurement methods

(point 2) did not differ by more than 1.5%, both for the horizontal and the vertical channel. The

obtained results indicate that the adopted measurement methods are correct and make it possible for

the results to be described using a single dimensionless relationship. Figure 5a shows the relationship

between the Nusselt number and the Rayleigh number, determined both for cooling with ice water and

coolants. The data included in figure (5a) provided the basis for determining the following

dimensionless relationship:

0 ,15
¤ 10000 ³
¥B C ´ ¤ Ao ³
Nu s  A • (Ra / 10000) ¦ Ra µ
•¥ ´ , (27)
¥A A ´
¦ fin t µ

B • g • d o31 • $T • R a2 M a • c pa
Ra  Gr • Pr  • , (28)
M a2 ka

where the characteristic dimension in the definition of Nu and Ra numbers is the outer diameter of the

tube. The final element of equation (27) describes the influence of the heat transfer surface

enhancement on the value of the heat transfer coefficient [3]. For the geometry under consideration,

the formula Ao /( A fin  At ) is defined through the following relationship:

Ao P • d o1
 , (29)
A fin  At 2 • n fin • h fin  P • d o1 n fin • s1

The values of coefficients A and B have been determined by minimising the sum of squares of

differences of Nusselt numbers measured and calculated using relationship (27) at all measurement

13
 points [27-30]. The obtained values of coefficients A and B in equation (27) have been listed in table

3. Figure 5b shows a comparison of measured and calculated values of Nu numbers.

Fig. 5 For 85% of measurement points, the differences between the measured and calculated values of the

Nusselt number were lower than 20%.

4.2. Forced convection

The study of the heat transfer process on the outer surface of longitudinally finned tubes was then

broadened to investigate forced convection conditions. Figure 6 shows the distribution of temperatures

and local values of the heat transfer coefficient on the outer heat transfer surface for transverse air

flow. The research results have been shown for various temperature differences between the

temperature of air and the temperature of the outer wall (at the base of the fin). The results of the

research indicate that the most intensive heat transfer process takes place at the first two fins (f1, f2

figure 1), counting from the direction of the inflow of air. This is reflected in the greatest difference

between the temperature at the tip of the fin and at its base and in the greatest received heat flux. A

drop in the temperature difference $T  T fi Twoi  T fi Twalloi at the perimeter of the outer heat

transfer surface leads to a decrease of the heat flux and lower values of local heat transfer coefficients

(Fig. 6b, 6d).

Fig. 6

At low airflow velocities forced by the fan (forced convection), a certain impact of free convection

was noticed on the obtained values of heat transfer coefficients. Under the investigated measurement

conditions, the values of heat transfer coefficients depended not only on air velocity, but also on the

temperature difference Ta-Twallo. Figure 7a shows the variability of heat transfer coefficients

(relationships 1-16) as a function of the difference in air temperatures and the mean temperature of the

outer wall of the tube and velocity in the narrowest cross-section for water flow inside the tube

(vertical channel). The figure also shows the values of heat transfer coefficients obtained using the

other measurement method on the basis of relationships (9-17). For longitudinal and transverse

airflow, the maximum relative difference between

14
Fig. 7 the heat transfer coefficients obtained using the two measurement methods amounted to 1.5%. Figure

7b shows a comparison of changes in the heat transfer coefficient within a broad range of temperature

differences in the horizontal channel (transverse air flow) for free convection (Waу0 ms-1) and forced

convection (Wa=2,3 ms-1). In addition, the figure also shows the mean values of the heat transfer

coefficients ( A loc ),obtained on the basis of the local values of heat transfer coefficients ( A loc ). It is

clear that irrespective of the adopted measurement method, the changes in the values of heat transfer

coefficients as a function of velocity and temperatures are similar. Figure 7c shows a comparison of

heat transfer coefficients for longitudinal and transverse air flow. Research results indicate that for the

same velocities of airflow in the narrowest cross-section, heat transfer coefficients for transverse flow

around tubes were 22% higher than the corresponding values for flow along the axis of the tube. It

needs to be remembered that the values of heat transfer coefficients are determined both by the nature

of the flow (Reynolds’ number) and flow geometry. In the case of transverse flow around a tube, the

airflow is more heavily disturbed than in the case of longitudinal flow. Hence, a more intense air

mixing process corresponds to more intensive heat transfer and higher values of heat transfer

coefficients.

Fig. 8 Low air flow velocities result in the fact that the influence of free convection on heat transfer

coefficients cannot be overlooked when juxtaposed with the forced convection process [21]. This is

confirmed by results shown in Figure 8, which details the relationship between the Nusselt number

and Re and Ra numbers for transverse flow around pipes. It needs to be noted that for each value of

the Re number, the relationship between the Nusselt number and the Rayleigh number is similar. In

turn, the values of the Nusselt number depend on the value of the Reynolds number. In order to take

account of this type of changes of the Nu number as a function of the Reynolds and Rayleigh numbers,

a dimensionless relationship (30) has been adopted, which makes it possible to determine the Nusselt

number.
0 ,15
¤ Ao ³
Nu  ;A • ( Ra / 1000) B  C • (Re• Pr) D =• ¥ ´ , (30)
¥A A ´
¦ fin t µ

Coefficients A, B, C and D have been determined using the procedure of minimisation of the sum of

squares of the values of Nu numbers measured and calculated on the basis of relationship (30) at the
15
 measurement points [27-30]. The calculated values of coefficients A, B, C and D for longitudinal and

transverse air flow have been included in table 3. Figure 9 shows a comparison of the measured and

calculated values of Nu numbers for transverse and longitudinal air flow. Both in the case of

Tab.3 longitudinal and transverse air flow, for 95% of measurement points, the differences between

Fig. 9 the measured and calculated values of Nu numbers were smaller than 25%. Relationship (30) and

coefficients A, B, C and D for air flow along the pipe were calculated on the basis of research carried

out for tubes with ice water. For transverse flow around tubes under forced convection conditions,

coefficients A, B, C and D in equation (30) were determined for cooling with ice water and refrigerants

R407C and R507.

5. Summary

The paper presents the results of experimental research on heat transfer coefficients for airflow around

vertical finned tubes with centrally-symmetrical longitudinal wavy fins. There are a number of

publications available on the heat transfer process on finned surfaces. Papers on forced convection

heat transfer discuss the tubes of horizontally-installed exchangers, which are most frequently

circulated by air transversally (e.g. air-conditioning coolers or heaters) or, in fewer cases,

longitudinally (plate and tube exchangers with longitudinally finned tubes). In turn, in the case of

normal heaters operating under free convection conditions, the characteristic feature is the small height

of the heat transfer surface, which normally does not exceed 1(m).

The specific structure of the evaporators of air heat pumps not fitted with a fan implied the

necessity to conduct studies for completely different heat transfer processes. The results included in

this paper provide new insights into the heat transfer processes on extended heat transfer surfaces. The

studies are highly original with respect to the shape of the fin, the significant height of the

measurement section (2m), as well as coherent studies of longitudinal and transversal air flow around

the tubes under free and mixed convection. The utilitarian aspect of the conducted research

concentrates on answering the question about the actual value of the heat exchange coefficients in the

airflow conditions under consideration and how the heat transfer conditions (airflow direction and

velocity) change the value of the heat transfer coefficients. The mean values of heat transfer

16
coefficients obtained during the study amounted to 2-8.5 (Wm-2K-1) under free convection conditions,

4.5-19 (Wm-2K-1) for forced transverse flow and 4-11 (Wm-2K-1) for forced convection along the axis

of the pipe. The values of heat transfer coefficients calculated from the Seider-Tate relationship

(forced convection) for the tube geometry under consideration and airflow along the axis of the tube

amount to 5.8-10 (Wm-2K-1). The flow along the pipe is more hydrodynamically stable when

compared to transverse flow and therefore, for the same velocities in the narrowest cross-section,

experimental values of heat transfer coefficients for transverse flow around the tube were 22% higher

than heat transfer coefficients for airflow along the axis of the tube.

Studies of the distribution of temperatures along the perimeter of the tube and at the tips of the fins,

as well as local heat transfer coefficients indicated that both for free and forced convection the heat

transfer coefficients were higher in the lower sections of the fins, than in their upper parts. This

disproportion was greater in the case of free convection. The effect leads to the fact that under the

considered measurement conditions of mixed convection, the forced convection process has a more

significant impact on the obtained values of heat transfer coefficients than the free convection process.

However, the latter cannot be overlooked in the heat transfer process, either.

Studies of local values of heat transfer coefficients have confirmed the increasingly stronger

relationship between those values and the difference between the temperature of the wall and of the

air. The mean values of heat transfer coefficients obtained on the basis of the distribution of local

values Aloc corresponded to mean values calculated from the balance equation and measurements of

heat transfer coefficients.

As a result of the experimental studies, dimensionless relationships were determined to calculate

the heat transfer coefficients for the cases under consideration. For free convection, for 85% of the

measurement points, the differences between the measured heat transfer coefficients and those

calculated on the basis of the dimensionless relationship were lower than 20%. In the case of forced

convection, dimensionless relationships were proposed taking into account both the impact of free

convection and the impact of velocity on heat transfer coefficients. Both for longitudinal and

transverse flow with respect to the axis of the tube, the proposed dimensionless relationships make it

17
possible for 95% of measurement points to obtain differences between the measured and calculated

heat transfer coefficients which are not greater than 25%.

The results of experimental research discussed in the paper, as well as the proposed dimensionless

relationships can be of great practical importance in designing air coolers and heaters working with

natural airflow. The results presented in the paper will be especially useful in the design of heat pumps

with evaporators without a fan. A designer of heat pump evaporators must determine for what external

conditions they will specify the surface area of the evaporator: extremely unfavourable operating

conditions (with the assumption of free convection – equation (25), most often in the case of the

lowest external temperatures, often under anti-cyclonic conditions and with no wind), or moderate

operating conditions of the heat pump (mean air temperatures typical of winter months, forced

convection – equation (28), air movement caused by wind). The first calculation variant implies higher

investment costs on the side of the evaporator, while the other implies higher operating costs related to

the heat pump, as it is necessary to install an additional heat source (e.g. an electric heater).

It needs to be stressed that the applied measurement methods used to determine the local and mean

heat transfer coefficients are an important element of the paper. The characteristic feature of the

presented experimental study was to eliminate the air-side thermal balance from the measurement data

(due to measurement accuracy) and to use inverse methods (measurement of the heat transfer

coefficient or an analysis of the distribution of temperature for the fin) to determine the air side heat

transfer coefficients.

Acknowledgements

The research was carried out as part of research project N N512 458040 funded by the Polish

National Science Centre.

6. References
[1] W.M. Kays, A.L. London, Compact Heat Exchangers, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1984.
[2] J. Taler, T. Sobota, A. Cebula, Determining local heat transfer coefficients on the circumference
of smooth and longitudinally finned tubes, Archives of Thermodynamics. 26(1) (2005) 35-52.
[3] K.G. Schmidt , Wärmeübergang an berippten Oberflächen. VDI-Wärmeatlas. (2002) Mb 9.

18
[4] M. Pronobis, S. Kalisz, R. Wejkowski, Model investigations of convective heat transfer and
pressure loss in diagonal membrane heating surfaces, Heat and Mass Transfer.38 (2002) 343–350.
[5] Niezgoda-ĩHODVNR%=DOHZVNL:ĩHODVNR-Experimental research of the air-water
heat pump with evaporator operating under free convection conditions, Proceedings from the
44th Science and Technology Conference - 5HIULJHUDWLRQV'D\V3R]QDĔ-244.
[6] R.H. Norris, W.A. Spofford, High-performance fins for heat transfer, Transactions of ASME, 64
(1942) 489-496.
[7] W.H. Mc Adams, Heat Transmission, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York 1954
[8] 5.6KDK'36HNXOLü Fundamentals of Heat Exchanger Design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
2003
[9] J. Stasiulevisius, V. Survila , Paper FC 6.5, Proc. 5th International Heat Transfer Conference,
Tokyo, IX 1974.
[10] D.E. Briggs, E.H. Young, Chemical Engineering Programming Symp., 59 (1963) 1.
[11] J. Taler, A. Cebula, Determination of local heat coefficients on membranous convection surfaces
and longitudinally finned tubes, Warsaw University of Technology Research Journal. Mechanics
202 (2003) 263-272.
[12]R. Wejkowski, M. Pronobis , New kinds of convective tube bank - a comparison of physical and
numerical modeling of heat transfer and pressure loss, International Conference: Combustion and
Environment, Ostrava Czech Republic 2003.
[13] E.M. Sparrow, S.S. Kang, Longitudinally-finned cross-flow tube banks and their heat transfer and
pressure drop characteristics. International Journal Heat Mass Transfer 28(2) (1985) 339-350.
[14] E. Ibrahim, M. Moawed, Forced convection and entropy generation from elliptic tubes with
longitudinal fins, Energy Conversion and Management. 50 (2009) 1946-1954.
[15] A.K. Tolpadi, T.H. Kuehn, Experimental investigation of conjugate natural convection heat
transfer from horizontal isothermal cylinder with a nonisothermal longitudinal plate fin at various
angles, International Journal Heat Mass Transfer, 28 (1985) 155-163
[16] J. Barman, A,K, Ghoshal, Performance analysis of finned tube and unbaffled shell-and-tube heat
exchangers, International Journal of Thermal Sciences. 46 (2007) 1311-1317.
[17] S.P. Dusan, R.K. Shah, Fundamentals of heat exchangers design, John Wiley and Sons, New
York , 2003.
[18] I.M. Rustum, H.M. Soliman, Numerical analysis of laminar mixed convection in horizontal
internally finned tubes, International Journal Heat Mass Transfer, 33(7) (1990) 1485-1496
[19] J.C. Chai, S.V. Patankar, Natural laminar convection in internally finned horizontal annuli,
Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A. 24 (1993) 67-87.
[20] S.C. Haldar, G.S. Kochhar, K. Manohar, R.K. Sahoo , Numerical study of laminar free
convection about a horizontal cylinder with longitudinal fins of finite thickness, International
Journal of Thermal Sciences, 46 (2007) 692-698.
[21] C. Prakash, R. Renzoni, Effect of buoyancy on laminar fully developed flow in a vertical annular
passage with radial internal fins, International Journal Heat Mass Transfer, 28 (1985) 995-1003
[22] NIST Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties Database (REFPROP).
[23] B. Niezgoda, W.Zalewski, Cooling and air-conditioning heat exchangers: thermal calculations,
Wydawnictwo Politechniki Krakowskiej, Kraków, 2012 (in Polish).
[24] /.RáRG]LHMF]\N05XELNCooling Technology in Air-Conditioning, Arkady, 1976 (in Polish).
[25] ASHRAE, Fundamentals Handbook (SI) ,Psychrometrics, 1993, 6.1-6.17
[26] Y. A. Cengel, A. J. Ghajar, Heat and Mass Transfer: Fundamentals and Applications, Mc Graw
Hill Education, 2011
[27] B. Niezgoda, Solution of inverse problem for determining mean convective heat transfer
coefficient by means of Gram-Schmidt and Nelder-Meade methods, Thermal Technology
Institute Bulletin of Warsaw University of Technology. 80 (1995) 95-100

19
[28] J. Taler, P.Duda, Solving Direct and Inverse Heat Conduction Problems, Springer, Düsseldorf
2006
[29] C.L. Lawson, R.J. Hanson, Solving least squares problems. Engelwood Cliffs, New York, 1974.
[30] J.M. Ortega, W.C. Rheinboldt, Iterative solution of nonlinear equation in several variables.
Academic Press, New York ,1970.

Nomenclature
A,B,C,D,E - coefficients in dimensionless equations (16), (19), (-)
A”indeks” - surface area, (m2)
Afin1 - surface area of the cross-section of a fin A fin1  s1 • L , (m2)
Ao1 - surface area of a smooth fin at the base of the fin in relation to a single fin
¤ P • d o1 ³
Ao1  ¥ s1 ´ • L , (m2)
¦ n fin µ
cp - specific heat, (Jkg-1K-1)
cpa - specific heat of wet air, (Jkg-1K-1)
d - diameter, (m)
F1,F2 - constants in equation (16)
g - gravitational acceleration, (ms-2)
G - density of the mass stream of a coolant, (kgm-2s-1)
B • g • d o31 • $T • R 2
Gr - Grasshof number, Gr  , (-)
M2
h - specific enthalpy, (Jkg-1)
hfin - fin height, (m)
hg - specific enthalpy for saturated water vapour, (Jkg-1)
i - specific enthalpy, (Jkg-1)
k - thermal conduction coefficient, (Wm-1K-1)
L - tube length, (m)
Le - Lewis number, Le=Pr/Sc
Lp - length of the measurement channel, (m)
nfin - number of fins, (-)
A • d o1
Nu - Nusselt number, Nu  , (-)
k
M •cp
Pr - Prandtl number, Pr  , (-)
k
pw - partial pressure of water vapour in the air, (Pa)
R - heat transfer resistance, (m2KW-1)
B • g • d o31 • $T • R 2 M • c p
Ra - Raylegh number, Ra  Gr • Pr  • , (-)
M2 k
RCJ - degree of process openness, (-)
Wmax • d o1 • R
Re - Reynolds number, Re  , (-)
M
Q - heat capacity, (W)
Q s - sensible heat capacity, (W)

20
Q V - visible heat capacity, (W)
s - fin thickness, (-)
Sq - tube distance scale, (m)
T - temperature, (oC)
Tf - end of fin temperature, (oC)
Twalloi=Twoi- temperature of the outer wall of the tube, temperature at the base of the fin at the “i”
sensor installation point
U - overall heat transfer coefficient, (Wm-2K-1)
V - volume, (m3)
V - volumetric flux, (m3s-1)
Wa - maximum air velocity, (ms-1)
Wain - front air velocity, (ms-1)
Xa - mean air humidity degree for air at a mean temperature of Ta , (kgkg-1)
X wall - mean degree of humidity of saturated air at a mean temperature of Twallo ,
(kgkg-1)
$T  Ta Twallo -temperature difference in the definition of Grasshof number
Symbols
$ - increment,
A - heat transfer coefficient, (Wm-2K-1)
Aa - heat transfer coefficient of dry air, (Wm-2K-1)
B - volumetric expansion coefficient, (K-1)
BA - mass transfer coefficient, (kgm-2s-1)
E - fin efficiency, (-)
F - diameter of the measurement channel, (m)
M - dynamic viscosity coefficient, (Pas)
H - condition line coefficient, (WW-1)
R - density, (kgm-3)

Indices
1 - fin base
2 - fin tip
a - air
Al - aluminium
calc - calculated
Cu - copper
cz - front
fin - fin
HEAT - heater
i - inner
in - inlet
k - forced convection
loc - local value
m - mean
mII - method II
o - outer
out - outlet

21
R - coolant (refrigerant or water)
s - free convection
t - smooth tube
w - water,
wall - wall
ņ - mean value

Highlights

- Experimental studies of the heat exchange process under free and forced convection
- Longitudinal and transverse air flow around longitudinally-finned vertical tubes.
- Heat transfer coefficients for transverse and longitudinal air flow
- Influence of the Raleigh and Reynolds numbers on the values of Nusselt numbers .
- Relationships enabling the calculation of heat transfer coefficients.

22
Tables

Table 1. Measurement devices used in the study

Table 2. Systematic uncertainty of indirect measurement values
Table 3. Dimensionless relationships used to determine heat transfer coefficients

23
Figures

Figure 1. Geometrical parameters of the investigated finned tube

Figure 2. Layout of the measurement stand: a) vertical channel, 1-axial fan,

2-stream balancer, 3-Pitot pipe, 4-investigated tubes, 5-ice water generator, 6-
accumulation tank; b) horizontal channel 1-radial fan, 2-stream balancer, 3-Pitot pipe,
4-investigated tubes, 5-condensing units, 6-electric heaters.

Figure 3. Free convection; a) Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat transfer surface
$T  Ta Twallo  28 K , b) Local values of heat transfer coefficients
$T  Ta Twallo  28 K , c) Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat transfer surface
$T  Ta Twallo  35 K , d) Local values of heat transfer coefficients
$T  Ta Twallo  35 K

Figure 4. Free convection – Relationship between the heat transfer coefficient Aa and temperature
difference $T  Ta Twallo 

Figure 5. Free convection; a) Relationship between the Nusselt number and the Rayleigh number b)
Comparison of the measured and calculated Nu numbers

Figure 6. Forced convection Wa=2,3 ms-1, transverse flow; Distribution of temperatures on the outer
heat transfer surface $T  Ta Twallo  22 K , b) Local values of heat transfer coefficients
$T  Ta Twallo  22 K , c) Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat transfer surface
$T  Ta Twallo  31K , d) Local values of heat transfer coefficients
$T  Ta Twallo  31K

Figure 7. Forced convection; a) Longitudinal flow, ice water as the cooling medium, relationship
between the heat transfer coefficient Aa and the difference in temperatures

$T  Ta Twallo , b) Transverse flow, relationship A a  f Ta Twallo for free and forced
convection conditions and for different cooling mediums, c) Comparison of the heat
transfer coefficients for longitudinal and transverse air flow with ice water as the cooling
medium.

Figure 8. Forced convection, transverse air flow – relationship between the Nu number and the Ra
and Re numbers.

Figure 9. Forced convection – a comparison between the measured and calculated Nu numbers; a)
Longitudinal air flow, b) Transverse air flow

24
Figures

Fig. 1. Geometrical parameters of the investigated finned tube

25
 a) b)

.
Tain Va
3

4
4

Tain .
.
.
Va Taout
mw

5 Twin
Taout

6
TRout
Twout 1 2 3 TRin
H1 H2
. 6
GR

Fig. 2. Layout of the measurement stand: a) vertical channel, 1-axial fan,

2-stream balancer, 3-Pitot pipe, 4-investigated tubes, 5-ice water generator, 6-accumulation
tank; b) horizontal channel 1-radial fan, 2-stream balancer, 3-Pitot pipe,
4-investigated tubes, 5-condensing units, 6-electric heaters.

26
 a) b)

base of fin - top end of fin-top

base of fin - botoom end of fin - botoom top botoom
4 20

2 16

A aloc (Wm-2K-1)
0
12
T (oC)

-2
8
-4

-6 4

-8 0
0 P P P P P 0 P P P P
angle (rad) angle (rad)

c) d)

base of fin - top end of fin - top top botoom

base of fin - botoom end of fin - botoom 20
4
16
0
A aloc (Wm-2K-1)

12
-4
T (oC)

8
-8
4
-12
0
-16 0 P P P P
0 P P P P P
angle (rad)
angle (rad)

Fig. 3. Free convection; a) Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat exchange surface
$T  Ta Twallo  28 K , b) Local values of heat transfer coefficients $T  Ta Twallo  28 K , c)
Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat exchange surface $T  Ta Twallo  35 K , d)
Local values of heat transfer coefficients $T  Ta Twallo  35 K

27
 vertical ch.
10 horizontal ch.
horizontal ch. - evaporator R407C
8 horizontal ch. - evaporator R507
A a (Wm-2K-1)

0
10 20 30 40
Ta-Twallo (K)

Fig. 4 Free convection – Relationship between the heat transfer coefficient Aa and temperature
difference $T  Ta Twallo 

28
a)
horizontal ch.-cooler

vertical ch.- cooler

12 horizontal ch. - evaporator R407C

horizontal ch. - evaporator R507

0 ,15
¤ 10000 ³
¥B C ´ ¤ Ao ³
Nu s  A • ( Ra / 10000) ¦ Ra µ
•¥ ´
¥A A ´
¦ fin t µ
8
Nu

0
2,0E+04 4,0E+04 6,0E+04 8,0E+04 1,0E+05

Ra

b) Nu_calc
Nu_exp-horizontal ch., cooler
10 Nu_exp-horizontal ch., evaporator R407C
Nu_exp-horizontal ch., evaporator R507 +20%
9
Nu_exp-vertical ch., cooler
8

7
-20%
6
Nu
5

1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Nucalc

Fig. 5. Free convection; a) Relationship between the Nusselt number and the Rayleigh number b)
Comparison of the measured and calculated Nu numbers

29
 a) b)
base of fin - top end of fin - top top botoom
base of fin - botoom end of fin - botoom
4 24

2 20

A aloc (Wm-2K-1)
16
T (oC)

0
12
-2
8
-4
4

-6 0
0 P P P P P 0 P P P P
angle (rad) angle (rad)

c) d)
base of fin - top end of fin - top top botoom
base of fin - botoom end of fin - botoom
28
4
24
0
A aloc (Wm-2K-1)

20

-4 16
T (oC)

12
-8
8
-12 4
0
-16 0 P P P P
0 P P P P P
angle (rad)
angle (rad)

Fig. 6. Forced convection Wa=2,3 ms-1, transverse flow; Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat
exchange surface $T  Ta Twallo  22 K , b) Local values of heat transfer coefficients
$T  Ta Twallo  22 K , c) Distribution of temperatures on the outer heat exchange surface
$T  Ta Twallo  31K , d) Local values of heat transfer coefficients $T  Ta Twallo  31K

30
 a)
Wa=0 (ms-1) Wa=1,0 (ms-1)
WamII=1,0 (ms-1) Wa=1,5 (ms-1)
Wa=2,0 (ms-1)
12,0

10,0

A a (Wm-2K-1)
8,0

6,0

4,0

2,0

0,0
8,0 10,0 12,0 14,0 16,0 18,0

Ta-Twallo (K)

b)
Wa=0 (ms-1) - cooler Wa=0 (ms-1) - evaporator R407C
-1
Wa=0 (ms ) - evaporator R507 A loc , Wa=0 (ms-1) - evaporator R507
-1
Wa=2,3 (ms-1) - cooler Wa=2,3 (ms ) - evaporator R407C
-1
Wa=2,3 (ms ) - evaporator R507 A loc , Wa=2,3 (ms-1) - evaporator R507
25

20
A a (Wm-2K-1)

15

10

0
8 16 24 32 40
Ta-Twallo (K)

c)

Wa=1,0(ms-1),vertical ch. Wa=2,0 (ms-1) , vertical ch.

Wa=1,0 (ms-1) ,horizontal ch. Wa=2,0 (ms-1), horizontal ch.
14

12
A a (Wm-2K-1)

10

0
6 9 11 14 16 19
Ta-Twallo (K)

Fig. 7. Forced convection; a) Longitudinal flow, ice water as the cooling medium, relationship
between the heat transfer coefficient Aa and the difference in temperatures $T  Ta Twallo , b)
Transverse flow, correlation A a  f Ta Twallo for free and forced convection conditions and

31
 for different cooling mediums, c) Comparison of the heat transfer coefficients for longitudinal
and transverse air flow with ice water as the cooling medium.

Re=1400 Re=1400 - evaporator R407C

Re=2400 Re=2400 - evaporator R407C
Re=4200 Re=4200 - evaporator R407C
Re=4200 - evaporator R507
25

20

15
Nu

10

0
0,E+00 2,E+04 4,E+04 6,E+04 8,E+04 1,E+05
Ra

Fig. 8. Forced convection, transverse air flow – relationship between the Nu number and the Ra and
Re numbers.

32
a)

0 ,15
¤ Ao ³
Re=1760 Re=2650 Re=3530 Nu  ;A • ( Ra / 1000) B  C • (Re• Pr)D =• ¥ ´
¥A A ´
¦ fin t µ
12

Nu

0
1,E+04 2,E+04 3,E+04 4,E+04
Ra

b)
Nu_exp - cooler
Nu_exp - evaporator R407C
Nu-exp - evaporator R507
30
Nu +25%

25

20
-25%

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Nucalc

33
Fig. 9. Forced convection – a comparison between the measured and calculated Nu numbers; a)
Longitudinal air flow, b) Transverse air flow

Table 1. Measurement devices used in the study

Measurement
Measured property Device or sensor range Accuracy

HART Scientific PT100 (7013) ± 0.018oC

Air temperature -100...100oC
resistance thermometer at 0oC

Cooling medium temperature at

HART Scientific PT100 (7013) ± 0.018oC
the inlet and outlet of the -100...100oC
resistance thermometer at 0oC
measurement section

Temperature at the base and at the CZAKI K-type NiCr-NiAl

-100...400oC ± 0.1oC
tip of the fin thermocouple; diameter 0.5mm

±0,75% at
Volumetric flux of air TEST-THERM Pitot Pipe 0,5-3 ms-1
Wa=1ms-1

HOFFER - HO 1/2x3/8 turbine 0.168-1.68

Volumetric flux of water 0.2%
flow meter m3h-1

Mass flux of cooling agent DI6-Mass6000 Mass flow meter 0-1000 kgh-1 0,1%

Air humidity Hygrotest 80 0-100% ±2%

0-4 MPa 0.5%

Pressure VEGABAR17 pressure transmitter
0-1 MPa 0.5%

Heater power LW-1 wattmeter 0-2000 W 10 W

34
Table 2 Systematic uncertainty of indirect measurement values

Value D( Q ) D($T) D(kAw) D(AR) D(Aa)

0,01- 2,7- 1,7- 8,6-

D(%) 2,5-8
0,24 10 3,8 14

35
Table 3 Dimensionless relationships used to determine heat transfer coefficients

Free convection Forced convection

0 ,15 0 ,15
¤ 10000 ³
¥B C ´ ¤ Ao ³ ¤ Ao ³
Flow Nu s  A • (Ra / 10000) ¦ Ra µ
•¥
¥A A ´
´ ;
Nu  A • (Ra / 1000)  C • (Re• Pr) • ¥
B D
¥
= ´
´
¦ fin t µ ¦ A fin  At µ

A B C A B C D

1,
Transvers 45 1.68
e 0, *1 1
5,55
3,15 3 0-5
*10- 21,24 1
5 1 2 1,
Longitudi 1 99
2.23
nal *1
0-7

1,5*104<Ra<8,4*
Transverse 104
flow
Formula 2200<Re<6300
validity 2,5*104<Ra<9*104
range 1,5*104<Ra<8,4*
Longitudinal 104
flow
2000<Re<4000

36
- Experimental studies of the heat exchange process under free and forced convection
- Longitudinal and transverse air flow around longitudinally-finned vertical tubes.
- Heat transfer coefficients for transverse and longitudinal air flow
- Influence of the Raleigh and Reynolds numbers on the values of Nusselt numbers .
- Relationships enabling the calculation of heat transfer coefficients.

37