Multidimensional and Unsteady Simulation of Fin-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

This article presents a model for the analysis of fin-and-tube heat exchangers, focusing on the heat conduction processes within the finned tube bundle. A cutting cell discretization has been proposed for the fins to adapt to the tubes shape, while the tubes have been discretized in axial and angular directions to consider complex heat transfer coefficient variations. A set of results is given on fin efficiency and transient response comparing with well-established methods. A full-scale condenser is also analyzed as an illustrative result, detecting important thermal bridges through the fins.