entropy

Article
Numerical Analysis on Natural Convection Heat
Transfer in a Single Circular Fin-Tube Heat Exchanger
(Part 1): Numerical Method
Jong Hwi Lee 1 , Jong-Hyeon Shin 2 , Se-Myong Chang 1, * and Taegee Min 3
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kunsan National University, Gunsan, Jeonbuk 54150, Korea;
jhl@kunsan.ac.kr
2 G&D Co., Gunsan, Jeonbuk 54001, Korea; alqpzm802@naver.com
3 R&D Center, S&H Co. Ltd., Suwon, Gyeonggi 16643, Korea; tmin@e-snh.co.kr
* Correspondence: smchang@kunsan.ac.kr; Tel.: +82-63-469-4724




Received: 25 February 2020; Accepted: 19 March 2020; Published: 21 March 2020


Abstract: In this research, unsteady three-dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

are solved to simulate experiments with the Boussinesq approximation and validate the proposed
numerical model for the design of a circular fin-tube heat exchanger. Unsteady time marching is
proposed for a time sweeping analysis of various Rayleigh numbers. The accuracy of the natural
convection data of a single horizontal circular tube with the proposed numerical method can be
guaranteed when the Rayleigh number based on the tube diameter exceeds 400, which is regarded as
the limitation of numerical errors due to instability. Moreover, the effective limit for a circular fin-tube
heat exchanger is reached when the Rayleigh number based on the fin gap size (Ras ) is equal to or
exceeds 100. This is because at low Rayleigh numbers, the air gap between the fins is isolated and
rarely affected by natural convection of the outer air, where the fluid provides heat resistance. Thus,
the fin acts favorably when Ras exceeds 100.

Keywords: natural convection; circular fin-tube; heat exchanger; numerical method

1. Introduction
Heat exchangers are widely used in homes and industries, as well as in the transportation sector.
They are used in various applications, such as air-conditioning, power plants, mechanical facilities,
automobiles, and the marine industry. Generally, heat exchangers increase the surface area to improve
the heat transfer performance via fins attached on a pipe. One of the representative models is the
circular fin-tube heat exchanger, which is primarily used for forced convection as well as natural
convection depending on requirements such as durability, and limitations such as dangerous elements.
Beyond its importance in the engineering field, it is important to analyze natural convection around a
geometrical body to understand the physics of convective heat transfer.
Various studies have been conducted on bodies submerged in fluid with regard to the Nusselt
number (Nu), which represents a function of the Rayleigh number (Ra) and the Prandtl number (Pr).
For instance, Merk and Prins [1] proposed a normalized correlation for a cylinder or sphere as follows:
1
NuD = CRaD 4 , C = 0.436, Pr = Cp µ/k = 0.7. (1)

Morgan [2] suggested that heat transfer for a circular tube can be expressed as follows:

NuD = CRaD n , (2)

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Entropy 2020, 22, 363 2 of 10

where C = 0.85 and n = 0.188 in the range of 102 < RaD < 104 .
Churchill and Chu [3] also proposed a convective heat transfer correlation at the regime of laminar
and turbulent flow for a horizontal circular tube (Equation (3)).
 2

 


 1 

6
0.387Ra

 

 D 
NuD = 0.6 +  . (3)
 
 " # 8 

   9 27 
1 + 0.559 16

 

 
 Pr 

Qureshi and Ahmad [4] analyzed the characteristics of flow at a Pr value of 0.7. They established
a correlation for a wide range of mean Nu (from 10−2 to 107 ), thus solving the Navier–Stokes and
energy equations for natural convection around a horizontal cylinder. Abu-Hijleh [5] researched the
optimization of the numbers, sizes, and positions of fins to maximize the heat transfer of natural
convection in the laminar flow range with one or more high-conductivity fins attached along the
circumference in the horizontal direction. Hisham et al. [6] studied the effect of surface roughness
on the natural convection of a horizontal cylinder by experimenting on four kinds of models with
sandpaper covering the cylindrical surface. They considered Nu to be a function of surface roughness
as well as Ra, and showed that the heat transfer can be improved by a maximum of 30% if the contact
and sandpaper resistances are considered. Chen and Hsu [7] experimented on various fin pitches
for a circular fin-tube heat exchanger and proposed a numerical inverse scheme to predict the mean
heat transfer coefficient and fin efficiency using temperature data at six measurement points and the
least-squares method. Kang and Jang [8] also conducted several experiments to obtain a correlation
between Nu and Ra for various fin diameters and pitches as a function of the diameter ratios and
pitch-to-tube diameter. Chen et al. [9] used both numerical and experimental methods to generate
correlations for various tube diameters and fin pitches in a vertical flat-plate fin-tube heat exchanger.
Recently, Kang and Chang [10] experimentally investigated the natural convection in a circular fin-tube
heat exchanger, and proposed an empirical correlation for 16 models of fin-tube diameter ratios (Do /D)
of 1.2 to 2.8, and fin pitch to tube diameter ratios (s/D) of 1.2 to 2.6.
Although such experiments helped improve our understanding of the physics of heat transfer,
measurement errors are common due to issues such as instrument accuracy and response speed.
Unlike general thermal-fluid experiments, far more caution must be exercised as environmental
uncertainties may greatly affect the data, and also because we cannot perfectly exclude the heat loss at
the temperature sensors and the test section. The effect of radiation emissivity is estimated within 4%
in the experiment and should be corrected [10]. Numerical methods have substituted or compensated
for the shortcomings of these kinds of natural convection experiments, such as errors, number of
man hours, and engineering price. In this research, unsteady three-dimensional incompressible
Navier–Stokes equations are used directly in numerical simulations, as in Reference [10], with the
Boussinesq approximation used to validate the proposed experimental results for a fin-tube heat
exchanger design. The Boussinesq approximation is a method of solving non-isothermal flow such as
the natural convection problem, without the need to solve for the fully compressed formula of the
Navier–Stokes equations. It assumes that the change in density has no effect other than generating
buoyancy in the flow field.

2. Numerical Simulation

2.1. Equations Governing the Circular Fin-Tube Heat Exchanger

The schematic of the circular fin-tube heat exchanger used in this study is shown in Figure 1.
The notations are explained below.
D: diameter of the circular tube,
Do : diameter of the circular fin,
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P f : fin pitch,
t:: finfin
thickness, and
thickness, and
s:: finfin
gap size,
gap where
size, s = P=f − t.− .
where

Figure 1.
Figure Schematic diagram
1. Schematic diagram of
of circular
circular fin-tube
fin-tube heat exchanger studied in the present work.

The dimensions
The dimensions are given
are given in Table
in Table 1. 1.

Table 1.
Table Dimensions of
1. Dimensions of the
the fin-tube
fin-tube heat
heat exchangers
exchangers tested
tested in
in the
the present
present work.
work.
Case D Do Pf t Do /D s/D
Case D Do Pf t Do/D s/D
P12 2.89 0.119
D12 P17P12 2.89
3.68 0.119 0.169
D12 19.1 1.20
P21P17 4.26
3.68 0.169 0.205
19.1 5.06 1.20
P26P21
15.88 4.26 1.0 0.205 0.256
P12 2.89 0.119
P17P26 15.88
5.06
3.68 1.0
0.256 0.169
D18 D18 27.8 1.75
P21P12 2.89
4.26 0.119 0.205
P26P17 5.06
3.68 0.169 0.256
P12 27.8 2.89 1.75 0.119
P21 4.26 0.205
P17 3.68 0.169
D22 34.9 2.20
P21P26 5.06
4.26 0.256 0.205
D22 P26P12 2.89
5.06 0.119 0.256
15.88 1.0
P12P17 2.89
3.68 0.169 0.119
P17 34.9 3.68 2.20 0.169
D28 44.5 2.80
P21P21 4.26
4.26 0.205 0.205
P26P26 5.06
5.06 0.256 0.256
15.88 1.0
D28 P12 2.89 0.119
P17 exchanger as a lumped heat3.68
Considering the heat capacity system, its temperature 0.169
(T) is expressed
44.5 2.80
in the energy equation as follows:
P21 4.26 0.205
P26 5.06 0.256
dT hA  
+ T − T f = 0, (4)
dτ ρcp V
Considering the heat exchanger as a lumped heat capacity system, its temperature ( ) is
expressed in the energy
The convective heatequation as follows:h can be calculated for the lumped cooling temperature as
transfer coefficient
follows [10]: + − = 0, (4)
ρcp VT − Tf
h=− ln , (5)
The convective heat transfer coefficient ℎA∆τ can be Tcalculated
i − Tf for the lumped cooling temperature
as follows
where ρ is [10]:
the density of the material, c is the specific heat, ∆τ is the time difference, V is the volume
p
of the system, A is the total surface area bounding
ℎ = − toln , environment, and subscripts i and(5)f
the outer
∆
denote the initial condition and final state, respectively.
Therefore,
where is the the volume
density (V), material,
of the area (A), and is
reference lengthheat,
the specific ∆ defined
(L) are usingdifference,
is the time simple geometry as
is the
volume of the system, is the total surface
π 2 area bounding π to the outer environment, and subscripts
2 2
V =
and denote the initial condition and ( D − D ) P + ( D − D2 )t, (6)
4 final
o state,
hole frespectively.
4 o
Therefore, the volume ( ), area ( ), and reference length ( ) are defined using simple geometry
as
= ( − ) + ( − ) , (6)
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π 2
A= (D − D2 ) + πDs + πDo t, and (7)
2 o
π ( Do + D )
L= , (8)
4
where Dhole is the inner diameter of the tube.
The film temperature (Tm ) and expansion coefficient (β) are defined to obtain the physical
properties of air (T∞  T f ) as follows:
∆T = T − T f , (9)
T + Tf ∆T
Tm = = Tf + , and (10)
2 2
1
β= . (11)
Tm
The dimensionless parameters, Ra and Nu, are defined as

gβ∆TL3
RaL = (12)
αν
hL
NuL = (13)
k
 
where g is the gravitational acceleration, α = k/ ρcp is the thermal diffusivity, ν is the kinematic
viscosity of air, and k is the heat conductivity of the fin material. L in Equations (12) and (13) is defined
in Equation (8) and can be substituted for other parameters such as fin gap (s) and tube diameter (D).

gβ∆Ts3
Ras = . (14)
αν

gβ∆TD3
RaD = . (15)
αν
Thus, the following equation can be derived from Equations (14) and (15):

s 3
 
Ras = RaD . (16)
D

2.2. Numerical Simulation Method

For the numerical simulation in this research, a three-dimensional laminar incompressible flow
was assumed to study the physics of natural convection. The commercial code ANSYS CFX 18 [11]
was used in the computation, assuming an unsteady setup for a total time of 3000 s and a time step of
0.01 s. The time step was determined by considering the Courant number (Co ≤ 1).
The computational domain for a single circular fin-tube exchanger is shown in Figure 2a.
The domain spans 20 and 30 times the tube diameter (D) in the x and y directions, respectively, and
one pitch (P f ) in the z direction. For both boundaries, at z = 0, P f , a periodic boundary condition was
applied for the fully developed flow in that direction, and the remaining four surfaces were applied
with opening condition. Therefore, we must consider a sufficiently wide domain of 20D × 30D in the
xy plane.
The air temperature ranged from 19 to 25 ◦ C (room temperature), and the wall temperature was
set to a fixed initial value of 50–60 ◦ C. The physical properties of air were given as a function of
temperature at standard atmospheric pressure, namely at 0, the density was 1.29 kg/m3 , the constant
pressure heat capacity was 1004.4 J/(kg·K), thermal conductivity was 0.025 J/(m·K), and dynamic
viscosity was 1.71 × 10−5 kg/(m·s). Pr was 0.687.
 Entropy 2020, 22, x 5 of 10

15,000 nodes. The assessment of convergence was conducted by assuming that the relative residual
of all the computational variables is less than 10 , and that the balance of momentum and energy is
99.9%.
Entropy 2020,A22,PC
363with a CPU of 3.0 GHz and 32 GB RAM was used for the computations. The 5 of 10
computation time was approximately 72 hours per case.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure
Figure 2. 2. Numerical
Numerical domain
domain and
and grid
grid in the
in the present
present work:
work: (a) (a) computational
computational domain,
domain, (b) (b)
gridgrid (c)
(c) zoom
in zoom in near
near the the fin-tube.
fin-tube.

3. Validation
The grids seen of theinComputational
Figure 2b,c were Fluid Dynamicswith
constructed Method
tetrahedral unstructured meshes. The size
of grid used was approximately 0.002 m. Prism meshes were used near the wall boundaries of the
3.1. Circular
circular tube andTubefins, and the total number of elements amounted to approximately 0.5 million with
15,000 nodes. The assessment
To validate the proposed of convergence was conducted
numerical method, a simulationby assuming that thecircular
with a simple relativetube
residual
was of
allperformed
the computational variables is less than 10 −6 , and that the balance of momentum and energy is
to compare with other empirical correlations, namely Equations (1)–(3). Ra based on the
tube A
99.9%. diameter
PC with(Ra ) ranges
a CPU of 3.0from
GHz150andto 32
10,000,
GB RAMand thewasflow
usedcharacteristics are still considered
for the computations. to be
The computation
laminar
time for this case. One
was approximately 72 unsteady
hours persweeping
case. was conducted for Equation (5) to obtain Nu based on
the tube diameter (Nu = hD/k), and its corresponding Ra was computed using ∆ in Equation
3. (15).
Validation
In Figureof 3,
thethe
Computational
numerical result Fluid Dynamics
is compared withMethod
the correlations seen in Equations (1)–(3) as
well as an unpublished experimental result produced by Kang. Kang's experimental data were
3.1.obtained
CircularwithTubethe same experimental method proposed in Reference [10]. The heat transfer of the
circular tube can
To validate thebeproposed
categorized ranges Ra
using themethod,
numerical = 400, 150 with
a simulation < Ra a <simple
400, and 400 <tube
circular Ra < was
10 . The low Ra region shows oscillations because the temperature difference
performed to compare with other empirical correlations, namely Equations (1)–(3). Ra based on the is too small to measure
thediameter
tube error that may
(Ra affect Nu. Thus, a better-controlled experiment is needed, as seen from the
D ) ranges from 150 to 10,000, and the flow characteristics are still considered to be
experimental data of Kang, where the oscillation can begin even for Ra
laminar for this case. One unsteady sweeping was conducted for Equation400. The heat transfer in
(5) to obtain Nu based on
this study’s computation overestimates Churchill and Chu’s correlation [3], but the graph is
the tube diameter (NuD = hD/k), and its corresponding RaD was computed using ∆T in Equation (15).
qualitatively similar to their result, showing a consistent error of 16.3%. In the high Ra region, the
In Figure 3, the numerical result is compared with the correlations seen in Equations (1)–(3) as well
maximum overestimated error is 6% when Ra = 10 in Morgan’s research [2]. However, the
as an unpublished experimental result produced by Kang. Kang’s experimental data were obtained
computational data consistently underpredict Kang’s experimental data by approximately 20%.
with the same experimental method proposed in Reference [10]. The heat transfer of the circular tube
Generally, the experiment seems far more unstable as there are many causes of disturbance, such as
can be categorized
atmospheric using the
perturbation in ranges RaD = 400,
the laboratory, 150 < Ra
unremoved D < 400, and
turbulence, the 400 < Ra
effect D < 10 roughness,
of surface
4 . The low Ra

region shows
radiative oscillations
heat because theoftemperature
transfer, uncertainty measurement, difference is tooinsmall
and failures to measure
boundary the error
temperature that may
control.
affect Nu. Thus, a better-controlled experiment is needed, as seen from the
Consequently, the lower limit of the present numerical method should be restricted to Raexperimental data of Kang,
where
400 due the oscillation can begin
to the instability. even for
However, as Ra > 400. The
perD Equation (16),heat transfer
if the in this
gap ratio / study’s
is verycomputation
small, the
lower limit becomes far extended for Ra .
overestimates Churchill and Chu’s correlation [3], but the graph is qualitatively similar to their result,
showing a consistent error of 16.3%. In the high Ra region, the maximum overestimated error is 6%
when RaD = 104 in Morgan’s research [2]. However, the computational data consistently underpredict
Kang’s experimental data by approximately 20%. Generally, the experiment seems far more unstable as
there are many causes of disturbance, such as atmospheric perturbation in the laboratory, unremoved
turbulence, the effect of surface roughness, radiative heat transfer, uncertainty of measurement, and
failures in boundary temperature control.
Entropy 2020, 22, 363 6 of 10
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Figure 3. Comparison
Figure of of
3. Comparison Nusselt
Nusseltnumbers
numbers with experimentalcorrelation
with experimental correlation of circular
of circular tubes.
tubes.

Consequently,
Figure 4 showsthe lower
the time limit of the
history of present
the wall numerical
temperaturemethod
compared should be restricted
to Kang’s D > 400
to Radata
experimental
due tointhe
Figure 3, whereHowever,
instability. the temperature is cooled to
as per Equation converge
(16), withratio
if the gap the environmental
s/D is very small, air temperature.
the lower limit
Although
becomes the initial
Figure
far extended forwall
Ras .temperature
3. Comparison was thewith
of Nusselt numbers same, the experimental
experimental correlationdata indicate
of circular more rapid
tubes.
cooling as the negative slope of the wall temperature was steeper
Figure 4 shows the time history of the wall temperature compared to Kang’s experimentalthan in the case of the numerical data
FigureThis
approach. 4 shows
meansthethat
timeadditional
history of heat
the wall temperature
transfer compared
might occur at thetotest
Kang’s experimental
section, which may data
be
in Figure 3, where the temperature is cooled to converge with the environmental air temperature.
in Figure 3,towhere
attributed the temperature
the complex is cooled
heat transfer from the toatmosphere,
converge with the failure
or the environmental air temperature.
of the adiabatic boundary
Although the initialinitial
Although wall wall
temperature was was
the same, the experimental datadataindicate more rapid cooling
condition thein the measurement. temperature
The evaluation the same,
is verythe experimental
difficult in the case ofindicate
naturalmore rapid
convection
as thecooling
negative
becauseasthe slope
theflow of
negative the wall
speedslope temperature
of the
is very wall
low, was
buttemperature steeper
the effect ofwas than in
steeper
such the case
thancannot
an error of the
in the case numerical approach.
of the numerical
be neglected in such
This means
approach.thatThis
experiments. additional
means that heatadditional
transfer might occur atmight
heat transfer the test section,
occur at thewhich may be
test section, attributed
which may beto the
complex heat transfer
attributed from
to the complex the atmosphere, or the failure of the adiabatic boundary condition in the
100 heat transfer from the atmosphere, or the failure of the adiabatic boundary
condition in
measurement. Thetheevaluation
measurement. Thedifficult
is very evaluation
in the is very
case ofdifficult
natural inconvection
the case of because
natural convection
the flow speed
Kang EXP
because the flow speed is very low, but the effect
is very low, but the effect of such an error cannot be neglected in such of such an error cannot be
experiments.
Present CFD neglected in such
80
experiments.
[oC]

100
Wall Temperature

60 Kang EXP
Present CFD
80
[oC]

40
Wall Temperature

60

20

40

0
0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600

20 Time [s]

Figure 4. Comparison of wall temperature with experimental data of circular tubes.

0
0 600 1200 1800 2400 3000 3600
3.2. Comparison with Experimental Data Time [s]
In this research, the numerical
4. Comparison data were alsowith
ofofwall compared with the experimental data of Kang
Figure
Figure 4. Comparison walltemperature experimental
temperature with experimental data
data of circular
of circular tubes.
tubes.
and Chang [10] to validate the proposed computational method. We used the range 2 < Ra < 200
3.2. Comparison
based on thewithgapExperimental
size of the fins.Data
As shown in Figure 5, Nu, or the effect of convective heat transfer,
3.2. Comparison with Experimental Data
increases as Ra becomes larger. In Figure 5, the trend of experimental data and numerical data is
In this
In research,
similar,this the the
but research,
the numerical
numerical
numericaldata were
data
data underpredict
also
wereNualso
compared
comparedwith the
theexperimental
with16%,
by approximately experimental
which
data
data of
is consistent of Kang
Kang
with the
and
Changand[10] to
Chang validate
[10] to the proposed
validate the
previous comparison for a single tube. computational
proposed computationalmethod. We
method. used
We the
used range
the range2 <2 Ra
< Ra
s < 200
< 200based
on the gap on
based size
theofgap
thesize
fins.ofAs
theshown
fins. Asinshown
Figurein5,Figure
Nu, or5, the
Nu,effect
or theof convective
effect heat transfer,
of convective increases
heat transfer,
as Raincreases
becomesaslarger. In Figure
Ra becomes 5, In
larger. theFigure
trend5,ofthe
experimental data and data
trend of experimental numerical data is similar,
and numerical data is but
similar, butdata
the numerical the numerical
underpredictdata underpredict Nu by approximately
Nu by approximately 16%,iswhich
16%, which is consistent
consistent with thewithprevious
the
previousfor
comparison comparison
a single tube.for a single tube.
Entropy 2020, 22, 363 7 of 10

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A pivot
Entropy 2020, point
22, x is observed at Ras ≈ 100, which is quite important for the following reason.
7 of 10
Frequently,A pivot
fins inpoint
heatisexchangers Radesigned
observed atare 100, which is quitethe
to increase important for theIn
heat transfer. following
general,reason.
larger fins
Frequently, fins in isheat exchangers are designed
at Ra to increase the heat transfer. In following
general, larger fins
A pivot
should result in point
a higherobserved
Nu; however, the100, which
narrow is quite
gap s < 100 can
for Raimportant forproduce
the reason.
an adverse effect,
should result
Frequently, in a higher Nu; however, the narrow gap for Ra < 100 can produce an adverse effect,
given that D28,fins theinlargest
heat exchangers are designed
fin diameter, shows the to increase
lowest heatthe heat transfer.
transfer. TheIn interval
general, larger
becomes fins large
given that
should D28, the largest
Nu;fin diameter,
theshows
narrowthe lowest Raheat< transfer.
100Ra The interval becomes large
enough to result
enough remove
to
in athe
remove
higher
the
however,
interference ofofthe
interference thevertical
vertical
gap
fin
fin
for
walls
walls when
when Ra
can>produce
s 100.100. an adverse
Therefore,
Therefore, the
effect,
the Nusselt
Nusselt
given that D28, the largest fin diameter, shows the lowest heat transfer. The interval becomes large
numbers are restored
numbers are restored in the expected
in the order
expected orderininproportion
proportion to to the
thesize
sizeofofthe
thefins.
fins.
enough to remove the interference of the vertical fin walls when Ra 100. Therefore, the Nusselt
numbers are restored in the expected order in proportion to the size of the fins.

Figure
Figure 5. Comparison
5. Comparison of Nu
of Nu L with
L with experimental data
experimental data of
of circular
circularfin-tubes. (Experimental
fin-tubes. DataData
(Experimental fromfrom
KangKang
and and Chang
Chang [10]).
[10]).
Figure 5. Comparison of NuL with experimental data of circular fin-tubes. (Experimental Data from
Kang and Chang [10]).
4. Results
4. Results andand Discussion
Discussion
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Velocity
4.1. Velocity
4.1. Velocity
Figure
Figure 6 shows
6 shows thethe velocity
velocity distributionof
distribution of air
air at
at the
theneutral
neutralplane
planebetween thethe
between finsfins
for four fin fin
for four
diameters
diameters andand
Figure 6two two
shows fin
fin the
gaps.gaps.The
velocityTheair airisisaccelerated
distribution accelerated vertically
of air atvertically from
the neutral from downwards
planedownwards
between the to upwards,
to upwards,
fins but fin
for four the
but the
patterns
diameters in (a) and (b) are different: in (a), the flow accelerates along the outer circumference of the
patterns in (a)and
andtwo fin gaps.
(b) are The air
different: is accelerated
in (a), vertically from
the flow accelerates along downwards
the outer to upwards, butof
circumference the the fin,
fin, while
patterns in
(a) (b),
andit(b) accelerates as the in flow begins at the tube boundary. For the flow in (a), thethe air
while in (b), in
it accelerates are different:
as the flow begins (a), the
at theflow accelerates
tube boundary. alongForthe
theouter
flowcircumference
in (a), the airof trapped in
trapped
fin, while in the(b),gaps is not much affected
flow by convection; rather, it circulates. Therefore, the
(a),flow can
the gaps
be
is notinmuch
regarded as
it affected
accelerates
such for an
as the
byimaginary
convection; begins
rather,
cylinder,
at it
the tube boundary.
circulates.
wherein the
For the
Therefore,
outer fin
theflow
diameter
flow incan
is equal
theregarded
beto
air
the
trapped in the gaps is not much affected by convection; rather, it circulates. Therefore, the flow can
as such for an imaginary
cylinder’s diameter. cylinder,
As the fin wherein
diameter the outer fin
increases, diameter
the air is equal
velocity betweento the
the cylinder’s
fins diameter.
gradually
be regarded as such for an imaginary cylinder, wherein the outer fin diameter is equal to the
As the fin diameter
decreases in Figureincreases,
6a the increases
air velocity between the the
fins gradually decreases
low Rathe in Figure 6a while it
cylinder’s diameter. Aswhile
the itfin diameter in Figure
increases,6b. Forthe airair flow with
velocity between , the
finsairgradually
pockets in
increases
the in
gap Figure
act as 6b. For
resistance, the
and air
the flow
overallwith low
convectiveRa s ,
heatthe air pockets
transfer in
decreases.
decreases in Figure 6a while it increases in Figure 6b. For the air flow with low Ra , the air pockets in
the gap act as resistance, and
the overall
the gap convective
act as resistance, heatandtransfer decreases.
the overall convective heat transfer decreases.

(a)
(a)

Figure 6. Cont.
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(b)
Figure
Figure 6. Velocity
6. Velocity contours
contours of of
thethe airflowininthe
airflow thepresent
present numerical experiment:
(b) numerical experiment:(a) s/D= =
(a)s/D 0.119, RaRa
0.119, =s = 15;
15; (b) s/D = 0.256,
(b) s/D = 0.256, Ras = 150. Ra = 150.
Figure 6. Velocity contours of the airflow in the present numerical experiment: (a) s/D = 0.119, Ra =
4.2. 4.2. 15; (b) s/D = 0.256, Ra = 150.
Temperature
Temperature
4.2.Figure 7 shows
Temperature
Figure 7 shows thethe temperaturedistribution
temperature distribution along
along thethe central
centralcross
crosssection
section (i.e., thethe
(i.e., central axisaxis of
central
of the tube).
the tube). Figure The
The temperaturetemperature gradient of the air is lower than that at the base region of the fin
(indicating a 7wider
shows the gradient
thermal temperature of the air is lower
boundary distribution
layer) in (a)along
than that
with the
lowcentral
at the
Ra than
base
cross
those
region ofthe
section
in (b),(i.e.,
thecentral
with high
fin (indicating
Ra. axis
In
a wider thermal
of the tube). boundary
Thedriven layer) ingradient
temperature (a) withoflow the Raairthan thosethan
is lower in (b), with high Ra.region
In Figure 7a,finas the
Figure 7a, as the flow is suppressed at the gaps in Figurethat at the
6a, the base
cooling of the
heat transfer is
driven flow is suppressed
(indicating a wider at the boundary
thermal gaps in Figure
layer) 6a,
in thewith
(a) cooling
low heat
Ra transfer
than those isinrestricted
(b), with to
hightheRa.
region
In of
restricted to the region of the fin tips, whereas in Figure 7b, the convective heat transfer extends over
the fin
the tips,
entirewhereas
Figure 7a, as the
gap domain in Figure
driven 7b, theflow
flow is
as the driven convective
suppressed at heatfrom
is activatedthe transfer
gaps in extends
Figure
the side 6a,
walls of over
the the
the fins entire
cooling heat gap domain
transfer
(see Figure 6b). is as
restricted
the driven flowtoisthe region offrom
activated the fin tips,
the whereas
side walls in of Figure
the fins7b,(see
the Figure
convective6b).heat transfer extends over
the entire gap domain as the driven flow is activated from the side walls of the fins (see Figure 6b).

(a) (b)
Figure 7. Isotherm lines for air-sides
(a) (b) (a) s/D = 0.119, Ra = 15;
in the present numerical experiment:
(b) s/D = 0.256, Ra = 150.
Figure Figure 7. Isotherm
7. Isotherm lines
lines forfor air-sides
air-sides ininthe
thepresent
present numerical
numerical experiment:
experiment:(a)(a)
s/Ds/D
= 0.119, Ra =
= 0.119, s = 15;
Ra15;
4.3.
(b) Fin(b) s/D = 0.256, Ra
= 0.256, Ra = 150.
s/D Efficiency = 150.
s

When the heat transfer coefficient is uniform, the temperature of the fluid is constant, and there
4.3.Efficiency
4.3. Fin Fin Efficiency
is one-dimensional heat conduction in the radial direction, the fin efficiency theory is as follows [12]:
WhenWhen the heat
the heat transfer
transfer coefficient
coefficient is uniform,the
is uniform, thetemperature
temperature of of the
the fluid
fluidisisconstant,
constant,and there
and there is
is one-dimensional heat conduction K ( direction,
2 in the radial )I ( ) −the
K (fin efficiency
)I ( ) theory is as follows [12]:
one-dimensional heat conduction = in the radial direction, the fin efficiency theory is as (17)
follows [12]:
( − ) K ( )I ( ) + K ( )I ( )
2 " K ( )I ( )−K ( )I ( ) #
= (mr )I1((mr) (17)
( − K
2r ) 1K ( )I1)I
(mr( o ) )−+KK1 ((mro)I
η =
The fin efficiency is calculated and using the Bessel (17)
m(ro 2 from
− r2 )Schmidt’s
K1 (mro )approximation formula
)I1 (mr[12]
f
I0 (mr) + K0 (mr o)
function as follows:
The fin efficiency is calculated from Schmidt’s approximation formula [12] and using the Bessel
The fin efficiency is calculated from Schmidt’s approximation formula [12] and using the Bessel
function as follows:
function as follows:
tan h(mrφ)
ηf = , (18)
mrφ
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= , (18)

2h/kt,, and
= 2ℎ/ and
p
m= (19)
ro ro
   
φ == −
− 1
1 1 +
1 +0.35 ln
0.35ln . (20)
(20)
r r
where m isis the
where the fin parameter, hℎ isisthe
fin parameter, theheatheat transfer coefficient, k isisthe
transfer coefficient, theheat
heat conductivity
conductivity of the fin
of the fin
material, t is the thickness of
material, is the thickness of the fin, the fin, ro is the radius of fin, and r is the radius of the
is the radius of fin, and is the radius of the tube. tube.
Generally, the
Generally, the fin
fin efficiency
efficiency decreases
decreases as as the
the fin
fin diameter
diameter andand heat
heat transfer coefficient becomes
transfer coefficient becomes
large, but
large, but ititincreases
increasesasasthethefinfin
thickness
thickness and heat
and conductivity
heat increase.
conductivity A thicker
increase. fin results
A thicker in a small
fin results in a
gap, and thus, the efficiency should increase.
small gap, and thus, the efficiency should increase.
Figure 88 shows
Figure shows the
the fin
fin efficiency
efficiency in in the
the low
low RaRa region
region (Ra = 15).
(Ras = 15). Fixing
Fixing the
the fin
fin thickness
thickness results
results
in increased
in increased fin fin efficiency
efficiency when
when the the fin
fin diameter
diameter becomes
becomes small
small and
and the
the fin
fin gap
gap is
is increased.
increased. As As such,
such,
the fin efficiency increases when the shape of the heat exchanger becomes similar
the fin efficiency increases when the shape of the heat exchanger becomes similar to that of a circular to that of a circular
tube (or
tube (or aa larger
larger gap
gap exists),
exists), and
and thus,
thus, thethe effect
effect of
of the
the fins
fins degrades
degrades in in the
the low
low RaRa region.
region.

Figure
Figure 8.
8. Variation
Variation of fin efficiency, ηff with
of fin with non-dimensional
non-dimensional fin gap, s/D.

5. Conclusions
5. Conclusionsigure
In this
In this research,
research, aa series
seriesof
ofnumerical
numericalanalyses
analyseswere
wereperformed
performedforfora acircular tube
circular and
tube 1616
and kinds
kindsof
circular fin-tube heat exchangers. The numerical results were compared with experimental
of circular fin-tube heat exchangers. The numerical results were compared with experimental results results and
empirical
and correlations.
empirical The The
correlations. following are the
following aresalient points
the salient of this
points of study:
this study:
1.
1. InInaa circular
circular fin-tube
fin-tubeheat
heat exchanger,
exchanger, the heat
the heat transfer
transfer of natural
of natural convection
convection can be
can be simply simply
expressed
expressed via a fin-tube model, and unsteady time marching was proposed
via a fin-tube model, and unsteady time marching was proposed to analyze time sweeping to analyze time
for
sweeping
various Ra forvalues.
various Ramethod
This values. is
This method
based is based
on practical on practical
experiments experiments
with with lumped
lumped temperature.
temperature.
2. Validation of the numerical analysis results via comparisons with empirical correlations such as
2. Validation of the numerical analysis results via comparisons with empirical correlations such as
those of Morgan [2] and Churchill and Chu [3] showed a limited range of errors. The proposed
those of Morgan [2] and Churchill and Chu [3] showed a limited range of errors. The proposed
method underpredicted Kang’s experimental values by approximately 16%, but the overall
method underpredicted Kang’s experimental values by approximately 16%, but the overall
trend coincided with his data. It was considered that the overestimation originated from the
trend coincided with his data. It was considered that the overestimation originated from the
additional heat loss, except for the pure natural convection, which served as an artificial cause in
additional heat loss, except for the pure natural convection, which served as an artificial cause in
the experiment. The accuracy of the natural convection data with the proposed numerical method
the experiment. The accuracy of the natural convection data with the proposed numerical
can be guaranteed when RaD > 400, which is thought to be the limitation of numerical errors
method can be guaranteed when Ra 400, which is thought to be the limitation of numerical
due to instability. Small differences in the temperature can affect the data severely. However,
errors due to instability. Small differences in the temperature can affect the data severely.
the proposed numerical simulation is far more stable than experiments where larger oscillations
However, the proposed numerical simulation is far more stable than experiments where larger
were observed for higher Ra values (RaD ≈ 3000)
oscillations were observed for higher Ra values (Ra 3000).
3. The effective limit for a circular fin-tube heat exchanger is reached when Ras ≥ 100 because at low
3. The effective limit for a circular fin-tube heat exchanger is reached when Ra 100 because at
Ra values, the air gap between the fins is rarely affected by the natural convection from the outer
low Ra values, the air gap between the fins is rarely affected by the natural convection from the
air or stagnates when the fluid provides heat resistance. Therefore, the fin best serves its purpose
outer air or stagnates when the fluid provides heat resistance. Therefore, the fin best serves its
when Ras exceeds 100. At low Ra values (Ras = 15), shorter fins or a higher s/D ratio provide
better efficiency.
Entropy 2020, 22, 363 10 of 10

Author Contributions: For research articles with several authors, a short paragraph specifying their individual
contributions must be provided. The following statements should be used “conceptualization, J.H.L., J.-H.S.
and S.-M.C.; methodology, J.H.L. and S.-M.C.; software, J.H.L.; validation, J.H.L., J.-H.S. and S.-M.C.; formal
analysis, J.H.L.; investigation, J.H.L.; resources, J.H.L. and T.M.; data curation, J.H.L.; writing—original draft
preparation, J.H.L.; writing—review and editing, S.-M.C.; visualization, J.H.L.; supervision, S.-M.C.; project
administration, J.H.L.; funding acquisition, S.-M.C. and T.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published
version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was supported by the Human Resources Development Program (Grant No. 20194010201800)
of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grants funded by the Korea
government (Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy). Also, the current research was supported by the Space
Core Technology Development Program (NRF-2017M1A3A3A03015448) of Korea.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the
study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to
publish the results.

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