Numerical and experimental studies on a two-dimensional model of an offset-strip-fin type compact heat exchanger used at low Reynolds number

Abstract Numerical and experimental studies have been made on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a two-dimensional system with a staggered array of vertical flat plates used in the free-forced mixed convection regime at low Reynolds number. The numerical schemes presently used are validated through the comparisons between their numerical results and the corresponding experimental data which were also obtained in the present study. Through these comparisons, the effects of fin thickness and free-stream turbulence are discussed. Comparisons are also made between the present two-dimensional computation and the experimental data for a practical offset-strip-fin type compact heat exchanger and comments on the effects of three-dimensionality are added. Discussions on the effects of some geometrical parameters of heat exchanger on its performance are finally presented based on the present numerical works.