CH-81-16-2 -- Finned Tube Heat Exchangers: State of the Art for the Air Side

The findings of various investigators during the past 10 years has greatly enhanced our ability to analyze, model, design, and optimize the finned tube heat exchangers so widely used in the HVAC business. The effect of rows, fin pitch, and other geometric parameters are now well understood, and generalized heat transfer correlations are available. The relation between heat and mass transfer has been much better defined and good correlations have been developed. Some advances have also been made in modeling techniques especially where partially dry cooling and dehumidifying coils are involved. All of these factors will be reviewed to concisely summarize what is now available to the heat exchanger analyst.