Improving Thermal-Hydraulic Performance of Flat-Tube Louver-Fin Heat Exchangers by Eliminating Louver Gap Condensate Bridges

Author

Alan L. Jones, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Dumitru Caruntu

Second Advisor

Dr. Young-Gil Park

Third Advisor

Dr. Kye-Hwan Lee

Abstract

The air side performance of heat exchangers is a well studied subject. Flat-tube louver-fin heat exchangers experience a decrease in performance when operating in dehumidifying conditions. As water vapor is pulled from the air, water condensate may create blockages between louvers. Flat-tube louver-fin heat exchanger may experience a drop in thermal-hydraulic performance by up to 50% due to blockages. The aim of this study is to make macro scale geometric changes to louver dimensions and eliminate louver condensate bridges. By eliminating louver condensate blockages, the heat exchanger should see an overall gain in thermal performance when compared to current fin and louver geometries. A 2D inter-louver condensate bridge model was used to determine geometries where condensate bridges cannot form. Heat exchangers were designed around those geometries and predictive correlations used to gauge thermal performance. Several selected designs compared favorably to experimental results of heat exchangers operated in fully wet conditions.

Comments

Copyright 2018 Alan L. Jones. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/improving-thermal-hydraulic-performance-flat-tube/docview/2177364623/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Jones, Alan L., "Improving Thermal-Hydraulic Performance of Flat-Tube Louver-Fin Heat Exchangers by Eliminating Louver Gap Condensate Bridges" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 296.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/296