Three dimensional numerical simulation and analysis of the airside performance of slotted fin surfaces with radial strips

Purpose - To provide some heat transfer and friction factor results for fin-and-tube heat transfer surfaces which may be used in air conditioning industry. Design/methodology/approach - Numerical simulation approach was adopted to compare the plain plate fin and three types of radial slotted fin surfaces. Findings - It is found that at the same frontal velocity (1.0-3 m/s) the plain plate fin has the lowest heat transfer rate with the smallest pressure drop. The full slotted fin surface has the highest heat transfer rate with the largest pressure drop penalty. The partially slotted fin (where the strips are mainly located in the rear part of the fin) and the back slotted fin are some what in between. Under the identical pumping power constraint, the partially slotted fin surface behaves the best. Research limitations/implications - The results are only valid the two-row fin surface. Practical implications - The results are very useful for the design of two-row tube fin surfaces with high efficiency. Originality/value - This paper provides original information of slotted fin surface with radial strips from the field synergy principle.