| Abstract: |
The distribution of air flow approaching a finned-tube heat exchanger is one of the predominant factors influencing the heat exchanger’s performance. This paper describes a method for measuring and predicting the inlet air flow distribution using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, respectively. The studied case was a single-slab, four-depth-row, louvered-fin heat exchanger installed vertically in a horizontal duct. A CFD model of the air flow through this heat exchanger was developed based on a momentum resistance modeling approach. The CFD results agreed well with the PIV measurements, predicting the local velocities within 3 % over most of the domain and within 10 % in areas with the largest velocity gradients. |
