Thermal-hydraulic performance data for offset-strip fin arrays are readily available in the range . However, in emerging applications in automotive and aerospace systems, where fan power is not a constraint and compactness is important, it may be desirable to operate offset-strip fin heat exchangers at very high Reynolds numbers. In this paper, friction factor and mass transfer performance of an offset-strip fin array at Reynolds numbers between 10,000 and 120,000 are characterized. A scale-model, eight-column fin array is used in pressure drop and naphthalene sublimation experiments, and the data are compared to predictions of performance given by available analytical models and extrapolations of the best available correlations. The friction factor data follow the correlation-predicted trend of decreasing monotonically as the Reynolds number is increased to 20,000. However, at higher Reynolds numbers, the friction factor increases as the Reynolds number increases and local maxima are observed in the data. Over the range investigated, the modified Colburn factor decreases monotonically as the Reynolds number increases. For Reynolds numbers in the range , well beyond that covered by state-of-the-art correlations, both the friction factor and Colburn factor are roughly twice that predicted by extrapolating the best available correlations. The higher-than-predicted Colburn factor at very high Reynolds numbers is encouraging for the use of offset-strip fin heat exchangers in emerging applications where compactness is of high importance.
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September 2007
This article was originally published in
Journal of Heat Transfer
Technical Papers
An Experimental Study of the Friction Factor and Mass Transfer Performance of an Offset-Strip Fin Array at Very High Reynolds Numbers
Gregory J. Michna,
Gregory J. Michna
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Iowa State University
, 2078 H. M. Black Engineering Building, Ames, IA 50011
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Anthony M. Jacobi,
Anthony M. Jacobi
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering,
University of Illinois
, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801
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Rodney L. Burton
Rodney L. Burton
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
University of Illinois
, 104 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801
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Gregory J. Michna
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Iowa State University
, 2078 H. M. Black Engineering Building, Ames, IA 50011
Anthony M. Jacobi
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering,
University of Illinois
, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801
Rodney L. Burton
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
University of Illinois
, 104 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801J. Heat Transfer. Sep 2007, 129(9): 1134-1140 (7 pages)
Published Online: January 22, 2007
Article history
Received:
June 27, 2006
Revised:
January 22, 2007
Citation
Michna, G. J., Jacobi, A. M., and Burton, R. L. (January 22, 2007). "An Experimental Study of the Friction Factor and Mass Transfer Performance of an Offset-Strip Fin Array at Very High Reynolds Numbers." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. September 2007; 129(9): 1134–1140. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2739599
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