Offset Rectangular Plate-Fin Surfaces—Heat Transfer and Flow Friction Characteristics

Abstract : Basic heat transfer and flow friction design data are presented for nine offset rectangular plate-fin surfaces. Seven of the test cores were constructed of aluminum and two were constructed of stainless steel. One of the configurations had a heat transfer area density ratio of 1772 sq ft/cu ft, one of the most compact plate-fin surface ever tested at Stanford University. The present results are compared with the offset rectangular plate-fin surfaces previously tested at Stanford. Comparisons are also provided with a louvered fin and a perforated fin plate-fin surface, in terms of heat transfer power versus flow friction power and flow area characteristics. The various kinds of mal-flow distribution through the test cores and their effects on the test results for heat transfer and flow friction are examined. (Author)