Search

Flat-tube heat exchangers could be an interesting alternative to make indirect cooling of display cabinets more energy-efficient. This application involves low air velocities in combination with condensation of water vapor on the air side, so plain fins could be suitable. Two different heat exchangers having flat tubes and plain fins on the air side were evaluated experimentally. One of the heat exchangers had continuous plate fins, and the other had serpentine fins. The performances during dry and wet test conditions were compared and related to theoretical predictions for different assumptions. The influence of air velocity, air humidity, and inclination angle was investigated. The results show that, in most cases, the heat transfer performance is somewhat reduced under wet conditions in comparison with dry test conditions, and that wet heat transfer surfaces lead to an increased pressure drop. At the lower air velocity range that was investigated, the heat exchanger having continuous plate fins drained better than the one with serpentine fins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Different designs of flat-tube heat exchangers with plain fins have been evaluated theoretically in a parameter study in order to evaluate their performance potential in indirectly cooled display cabinets. Two different types of flat-tube heat exchangers were considered; one with serpentine fins and one with continuous plate fins. Both flat-tube heat exchanger types were adapted to the laminar flow regime on the liquid as well as on the air side. The performance of the two heat exchanger types had previously been verified experimentally under dehumidifying conditions. The results from this parameter study show that considerable savings in the required electric drive power to compressors, pumps and fans can be obtained in comparison with the traditional cooling coil. The savings may be up to 15%. In addition, the required temperature difference for the flat-tube heat exchangers is so small that frost-free operation is possible, which would result in even larger savings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]