Effect of straight section length variations on performance of serpentine–tube heat exchangers

Indirect channels like the serpentine tubes are widely utilized in many engineering applications such as chemical and petrochemical industries, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, and modern energy conversion, etc. In the present work, the effect of straight section length variations on the performance of serpentine–tube heat exchangers is experimentally investigated. To obtain accurate results, a highly precise test loop with the ability to produce a constant wall temperature condition is designed and fabricated.It is found that creating short straight section lengths at the beginning of the serpentine tubes enhancesboth the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop values. However, this technique improves the overall thermal-hydraulic performance of the serpentine tubes about 10%.

Keywords:

Heat transfer enhancement , Serpentine tube , Straight section length variations , Experimental study