Development of heat transfer coefficient and friction factor correlations for offset fins using CFD

Abstract

In aerospace applications, due to the severe limitations on the weight and space envelope, it is mandatory to use high performance compact heat exchangers (CHEs) for enhancing the heat transfer rate. The most popularly used ones in CHEs are the plain fins, offset strip fins (OSFs), louvered fins and wavy fins. Amongst these fin types, wavy and offset fins assume a lot of importance due to their enhanced thermo‐hydraulic performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of geometrical fin parameters, in addition to Reynolds number, on the thermo‐hydraulic performance of OSFs.