Flow Visualization in Staggered Banks of Tubes

The X-shaped intersecting flow is shown in staggered banks of tubes. The staggered arrangement is more effective from the heat transfer and fluid control standpoint. Experiments using a particle tracing method are performed to visualize the flow in the staggered banks. of tubes. In order to determine the flow mechanism, velocities and pressures in tube banks are also measured using a two-dimensional laser Doppler velocimetry and a piezometer, respectively. It is disclosed that the flow characteristics depend on the aspect ratio and the diagonal distance in tube banks. The characteristics of hydraulic resistance in tube banks are also clarified.