Horizontal Plain and Low-Finned Condenser Tubes—Effect of Fin Spacing and Drainage Strips on Heat Transfer and Condensate Retention

• Published in: Journal of heat transfer 1986-11, Vol.108 (4), p.946-950
• Main Authors: Yau, K. K, Cooper, J. R, Rose, J. W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Installations for industrial steam generation
• ISSN: 0022-1481; 1528-8943
• DOI: 10.1115/1.3247039

The paper reports a continuation of an experimental investigation of the effect of fin pitch on the heat transfer performance of horizontal, integral-fin tubes for condensation of steam at near-atmospheric pressure. The effects of “drainage strips” located along the lower edge of finned and plain tubes have been studied. These gave significant increases in the heat transfer coefficient for finned tubes but had only marginal effect for the plain tube. Condensate retention angles have also been measured for simulated condensation using water, ethylene glycol, and refrigerant-113 for finned tubes with and without drainage strips. In the latter case the data agreed satisfactorily with theory. Drainage strips were found to reduce the extent of holdup significantly.