Measurement of Air-Velocity Profiles for Finned-Tube Heat Exchangers Using Particle Image Velocimetry

Published

July 14, 2008

Author(s)

David A. Yashar, Piotr A. Domanski, Hong H. Cho

Abstract

The performance of a finned tube heat exchanger is strongly affected by the distribution of the air that passes through it.  The air velocity distribution for finned-tube heat exchangers is not very well documented today because it is difficult to measure accurately.  In this study, we examined the air velocity distribution approaching three heat exchangers installed in a horizontal duct; a vertically oriented single-slab coil, a single-slab coil placed at an angle of 65º to the duct wall, and a two-slab A-Shaped coil with a 34º apex angle.  The data was taken using a non-intrusive, laser based technique called Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).  The measurement results show that the air inlet velocity profile is strongly influenced by the features within the duct and the orientation of the heat exchanger.  

Proceedings Title

International Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Conference at Purdue

Conference Dates

July 14-17, 2008

Conference Location

West Lafayette, IN

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

Air Conditioning, Air Maldistribution, Air Velocity Profile, Finned-Tube Heat Exchanger, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

Citation

Yashar, D. , Domanski, P. and Cho, H. (2008), Measurement of Air-Velocity Profiles for Finned-Tube Heat Exchangers Using Particle Image Velocimetry, International Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Conference at Purdue, West Lafayette, IN, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=861511 (Accessed October 8, 2025)