2018 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages JTST0018
Conventional louver fins have an inherent problem of condensate drainage. In this study, a newly developed louver fin is introduced. The louver fin has downstream a drainage channel. The dry and the wet surface heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of the new sample were investigated, and the results were compared with those of the conventional sample. Compared to the conventional sample, superior wet surface heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics were obtained. The j factors of the new sample were 40% larger, and the f factors were 9% smaller. In addition, the wet j and f factors were not much different from the dry ones, which imply that excellent condensate drainage is possible for the new fin. Under dry condition, however, poor heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics were obtained. The j factors of the conventional sample were 81% larger, and the f factors were 14% smaller. Allocation of the fin surface to flat (not enhanced) drainage channel for the new fin may be responsible. Under wet condition, j/f1/3 of the new sample was 45% larger than that of the conventional sample. Under dry condition, however, j/f1/3 of the conventional sample was 91% larger.
