Optimization of Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in Axially Finned Staggered Tube Banks

Abstract

Numerical optimization of heat and fluid flow over staggered tube banks are investigated for both unfinned and axially finned tube banks. Ansys Fluent software is utilized for numerical computations. To find maximum total heat transfer and minimum volume of tube bank for the given mass flow rate, allowable pressure drop and tube bank effectiveness; A Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm II is used. Optimum designs are given on tabular forms and variations of total heat transfer with total volume are presented. Moreover, effects of transversal and longitudinal pitches on objective functions are graphically demonstrated. In order to confirm reliability of the numerical studies, unfinned staggered tube bank configuration is compared with experimental studies in literature. As a result of optimization studies, axial fin usage results in 42.7% decrement in volume of staggered tube bank with respect to unfinned case, while heat transfer values are equal with maximum obtainable heat transfer rate for the given optimization problem.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the editor-in-chief for his guidance and contributions to our paper. We sincerely acknowledge Esteco SpA for providing free Modefrontier Software license.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Muhammet Nasif Kuru

Muhammet Nasif Kuru completed his Ph.D. study at Cukurova University at the department of mechanical engineering. He is a mechanical engineer in Hatay Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization. He deals with heat transfer, computational science and engineering.

Mehmet Tahir Erdinc

Mehmet Tahir Erdinc is an assistant professor in Tarsus University. He obtained M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Department of Mechanical Engineering. His areas of research interests are heat transfer, refrigeration, air conditioning and energy recovery.

Alper Yilmaz

Alper Yilmaz completed his undergraduate study in mechanical engineering at Bogazici University. Then, he attended Cukurova University as a research assistant and pursued his M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an assistant professor in this department until 2011. He was promoted to associate professor in mechanical engineering in 2011. He has been working as a professor of automotive engineering at Cukurova University since 2016.