Heat transfer enhancement in fin‐plate heat exchangers by wing type vortex generators

Abstract

Abstract Heat transfer and fluid mechanical data were computed for laminar channel flows containing strong longitudinal vortex pairs. The strong vortices are generated by thin delta wings and delta winglet pairs of low aspect ratios and large angles of attack. These wings are attached to the channel walls. The data show that longitudinal vortices cause high local peaks in heat transfer and marked increases in the overall channel heat transfer. These increases occur over a wide region of channel wall, compared to the vortex generating wing area. The results are of special interest for compact heat exchangers. The heat transfer enhancement allows a considerable reduction in the heat transfer area which, in turn, reduces the manufacturing and operating costs.