In this research, CFD analysis was utilized to develop a new fin pattern applied to the fin-tube heat exchanger used in the PAC (package air-conditioner). Six samples among commercial heat exchangers with various fin patterns used to PAC were selected...
In this research, CFD analysis was utilized to develop a new fin pattern applied to the fin-tube heat exchanger used in the PAC (package air-conditioner). Six samples among commercial heat exchangers with various fin patterns used to PAC were selected for the validation of CFD results. Computational results of heat transfer rate and pressure drop were reasonably agreed with the experimental results. Also, air-side performance of six heat exchangers were examined in detail. In order to observe the effect of the fin pattern independently, all dimensions of six heat exchangers except fin sections were unified. From CFD results, silt fins and plain louver fins showed similar performance, however in case of the convex louver fin and the wavy louver, excessive pressure drop occurred in comparison with a little better heat transfer rate. A new slit fin pattern with four slits per one row was designed and analyzes numerically. The new fin showed better heat transfer coefficient on the condition of the same fan power than above samples with silt fins. Therefore, the new fin developed in this study was validated more efficient than the current slit fins and will be applied to mass production well in the near future.