Comparative Performance of Rippled Fin Plate Fin and Tube Heat Exchangers

Continuous rippled fins are preferred to interrupted fins in applications where fouling by fibrous matter or insects is a problem. The performance characteristics of three rippled fin heat exchangers have been measured in a thermal wind tunnel. The results of these measurements are reported and comparisons are made with published data on similar surfaces. The performance evaluation criteria used as the basis for the comparisons were those recommended by Shah (1978). The tested rippled fin surfaces were found to have a higher performance than a similar surface reported in Kays and London (1984). The heat transfer enhancement was found to be dependent upon the profile of the fin.