Second Law Performance Analysis for Offset Strip-Fin Heat Exchangers

Abstract A design procedure for offset strip-fin (OSF) heat exchangers is proposed, on the basis of a minimum-entropy-production evaluation criterion. Proper dimensionless operational and geometric-parameters are introduced, and the thermodynamic impact of the OSF augmentation technique is Analyzed, for assigned heat exchanger working conditions, using available correlations for heat transfer and fluid friction coefficients. The proposed method allows the designer to determine the most suitable geometric configuration in order to achieve—under given operational constraints—the minimum dissipation effects of OSF heat exchangers.