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HEAT TRANSFER OF DOUBLE PIPE HEAT EXCHANGER PERFORMANCE BY

USING NANOFLUIDS AND SERRATED FINS

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 Journal of Computer and Engineering Technology 5 (1)
© Nabu Research Academy, 2018

CFD study of Heat Transfer Characteristics

for Annular Serrated Finned-Tube Heat Exchanger
Ahmed Jabbar Mansour , Zena Khalefa Kadhim and Kamil Abdul Hussein
Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Wasit University

Abstract
Annular serrated finned-tubes are well established in many thermal systems. This paper presents the results of
numerical calculations which carried out for the performance improvement of these devices. This study deals the main
investigations conducted with different five mass flow rate between (0.012, 0.14,0.016,0.018 and 0.02) kg/sec for the
cooled water and selected one mass flow rate for the hot water with (Re, 250), as well as the effect of the number of fin
segments of serrated fins (4, 8, 10, 12 and 14), and the effect of fin twisting of the outermost part of the fin on the
performance of the serrated finned-tubes. The twisting angles considered are between β (0o and 25o ) where a comparison
between performances of finned tubes with and without fin serration, the computational results showed that the Nusselt
number with serrated insert is augmented by (61.9, 53. 41, 27.8, and 12.6%) fo r (14, 12,10,8 and 4) serrated fins
respectively comparing with smooth tube. The maximum value of Nusselt number and maximal skin friction coefficient
was found in 14 serrated fins.

Keywords- CFD, heat transfer, annular, heat exchange.

1. Introduction

Annular notched finned-tubes are well recognized in many thermal systems by many projects. The reduce the sources
of primary energy in order to improve heat exchangers efficiency can also contribute to reduce the production of CO2.
for example, "Steam boilers or heat recovery boilers, is inherently lower than the heat transfer coefficient on the inside
of the water tubes" (Hofmann, rasz, & Ponweiser, 2007, 1). However, many types are used to improve heat transfer on
(air or water) such as the heat-transferring surface and finned tubes with segmented fins (Frass, Hofmann, & Ponweiser,
2007).

Moreover, the tubes staggered arrangement in bundle can higher turbulence which can also increase the pressure drop
of resistance in flow channel as well as the turbulence. According to Hofmann, et al., (2007) many studies found that
"Optimizing a finned tube heat exchanger also results in minimizing the pumping power" (Carranza & Ospina, 2006;
Naess, 2005; Halici, & Taymaz, 2006). There are seven different segmented in finned arrangements of tube bundle
thus, in order to compared it with solid fins. Therefore, it can find height of segmented fins which could be greater than
the maximum fin height because fins to weld by laser. Therefore, it can enhance the total area of outside surface and
also result of efficiency of heat exchanger.

However, in the research article the performance in various finned tubes which forced convection were evaluated.
Moreover, this study was investigated three different kinds of finned tubes. These three types find where the fin height
varies most. Additionally, the effect of geometry by pressure drop properties and heat transfer were associated by “solid
and serrated Ishaped fins and serrated U-shaped fins”. In specific, the important effect of fin height in this research has
been considered. Finally, the similarity to the “generalized Lévêque equation” for heat transfer in tube associations
have been applied thus, the maximum value of “Nusselt number and maximal skin friction coefficient” ha s been found
in 14 serrated fins.

77
 2. Simulation Model
The present study, a numerical examination of heat transfer enhancement in individual annular serrated fins double
tube heat exchanger is carried out. Double tube heat exchangers consisted of annuli PVC tube of (76.2 mm) outer
diameter, (3 mm) thickness, and (1000mm), and the straight copper tube with outer diameter of (14.87mm), (1mm)
thickness, and a length of (1000 mm). Fourteen individual annular serrated fins with a different number of fin segments
of serrated fins (4, 8, 10, 12 and 14) are fixed perfectly on the external surface of copper tube, axial distance between
Individual annular serrated fins (S, 61𝑚𝑚). Cold water at various mass flow rates (0.12 to 0.2) kg/sec flows through
annuli and hot water at Reynold's numbers (250) flows through the inner tube. A schematic diagram of the serrated
finned tube with serrated finned inserts is shown in Figure (1).

Fig. (1) Serrated finned tube and number of fin segments of annular serrated fins
(4, 8, 10, 12 and 14)

78
3. Boundary Conditions

In order to estimate the current heat exchangers performance in recent research, some of the physical requirements of
the sample are sufficiently determined as follows:

 Inlet Boundary Conditions

The inlet velocity fixed for the external (cold section) and the difference in the (hot section) sides during the
study. Entrance to the hot section temperature (60 °C) and in the cold section (25 °C).
 Pressure Outlet Boundary Conditions
The port range is set as the pressure port for hot and cold door.

 Wall Boundary Condition

It is set to any slip boundary condition in the inner wall of the tube. Use this condition for both fluid and solid
area.

4. Governing equations

4.1 Single-phase model equations

The single-phase model is applied in order to simulate the Nano-fluids, The mathematical formulation off the model
single-phase for the first to govern equations and second to laminar modelling is presented as s Kleinstreuer, (2010).
The conservation equations for continuity, momentum, and energy equations can be written as follows:
 Continuity Equation
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑤
+ + =0 (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

 Momentum Equation in the x-y-z component

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑃 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢
𝜌 (𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 )=− +𝜇( + + ) (2)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧2

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑃 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣 𝜕 2𝑣
𝜌 (𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 )=− +𝜇( + + ) (3)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧2

𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑤 𝜕𝑃 𝜕 2𝑤 𝜕 2𝑤 𝜕 2𝑤
𝜌 (𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 )=− +𝜇( + + ) (4)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2

 Energy equation

𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝑇 𝜕2 𝑇 𝜕 2𝑇 𝜕 2𝑇
𝜌𝐶𝑝 (𝑢 +𝑣 +𝑤 )= 𝑘( + + ) (5)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧2

All equations that govern with the boundary conditions have been applied using Fluent 18 software, which is based
on a limited size method, which are based on the limited volume technique. A simple algorithm was used for join the
compression velocity, after that the second-degree reverse-wind scheme was applying to the abstract in terms of
convection.

79
 4.2 Mesh Generation

Therefore, to achieve the correctness of numerical simulation in this research study. There are different network
strategies have been employed in simulation. Complex geometry, generating such a network is a waste of time that
always requires modifications to the engineering model. There are mainly two kinds of approaches in volume meshing.
These are structured and unstructured meshing shown in figure (2). In structured mesh, the main equations have been
transformed to the curvilinear coordinate system aligned with the surface and It also is small for simple figures.
However, it becomes extremely inefficient and waste time for composite geometries. Therefore, it was excluded in
current research. In the unstructured approach, the integral form of governing equations is discretized and either a finite-
volume or a finite-element scheme is used. Unstructured networks are in general successful for complex geometries,
such as the result that was used in the pres ent study. For the present work, the number of cells generated are shown in
Table (1).

Table. (1) Number of cells generated during mesh.

Case Number of nodes Number of elements

Plain tube 9546746 4304623

serrated finned tube 9566901 4306019

4.3 Convergence criterion

According to Ahmed & Yusoff, (2018, 9), “the convergence criterions were taken less than [10-6 ] for all the
continuity, momentum and energy residual. At the end of each iteration, the residual sum for each of the conserved
variables was computed and stored, thus recording the convergence history. The convergence criterion required that
the maximu m relative mass residual based on the inlet mass is smaller than [1 × 10-6 ]”.

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. Mesh of present model for annular serrated finned tube

80
5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

5.1. Effect of serrated fins

In order to compare between the Nusselt number results and friction influence of circular pipe with and without
serrated fins. Figure (3) shows the average Nusselt number vs. mass flow rate with different number of serrated fins. It
should be noted that the mass flow rate as well as the increasing the number of serrated fins have a strong effect on the
average of Nusselt number. Thus, this average of Nusselt number increases with mass flow rate and the number of
serrated fins due to increase the temperature gradient at the walls of tube and it can be ascribed to the increasing of the
number of serrated fins which helps to generate a longer flow track around serrated fins, resulting in considerable
swirling strength and excellent fluid mixing. The maximum enhancement in Nusselt number is (61.9%) at serrated fins,
14 and mass flow rate (0.02) kg/sec compared to the base case (conventional fluid without serrated fins). The serrated
fins generate strong turbulence intensity, which lead to higher mixing essentially at 14 serrated fins. The average
Nusselt number decreases as the number of serrated fins decrease, because the flow becomes less disturbed.
12
14 FINS
12 FINS
11 10 FINS
8 FINS
4 FINS
0 FINS
10

9
Nu ave

0.012 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.02

.

m (Kg/s)

Figure 3. Nusselt number versus mass flow rate base on different fins number (0, 4, 8, 10, 12, and
14).

The effect of serrated fins on the skin friction coefficient in circular pipe is illustrated in Figure (4). As expected,
the skin friction coefficient decreases with the rise of mass flow rate at all serrated fins because the skin friction
coefficient is inversely relative with the fluid velocity. It is also evident that the skin friction coefficient increases with
the increase of the serrated fins and has a maximum value at the (14) of serrated fins. It is attributed to the increasing
the serrated fin helps to generate longer flow path close to the serrated fins and resulted largest flow blockage.
Moreover, when the numbers of serrated fins increase it changes the velocity profile and causes an increase in the
resistance to the main flow resulting increase of skin friction coefficient.

81
 0.00225
14 FINS
12 FINS
10 FINS
8 FINS
0.0021 4 FINS
0 FINS

Skin Friction Coefficient

0.00195

0.0018

0.00165

0.0015

0.00135

0.012 0.014
. 0.016 0.018 0.02
m (Kg/s)

Figure 4. Skin friction coefficient vs mass flow rate at versus number of serrated fins, (0, 4, 8,
10, 12, and 14).

5.2 Performance evaluation criteria

The performance evaluation criteria are useful to estimate the characteristic of the thermal performance
improvement of any heat exchanger. The performance evaluation criteria (PEC) can be written as (Manca et al., 2012).
𝑁𝑢
( )
𝑁𝑢 𝑜
𝑃𝐸𝐶 = 1 (6)
𝑓
( )3
𝑓𝑜

Where, Nu is the Nusselt number of the improved tube and Nu o is the Nusselt number for the smooth tube, while
ƒ and ƒo are the skin friction coefficient of the improved tube and smooth tube, respectively. Gaining larger value of
the performance evaluation criteria means the excellent total performance. Therefore, the performance evaluation
criteria (PEC > 1) intends that heat transfer enhancement is greater than the raise in the pressure drop penalty Namburu
et al (2002), have obtained a value of the ratio (P.E.C>1). Figure 5 depicts all the data in order to compare the effect of
varied number of serrated fins on the performance evaluation criteria (PEC). From this figure, it is clearly seen that the
excellent rate of the performance evaluation criteria (PEC) may be obtain whe n utilize 14 serrated fins with small rate
of mass flow. Additionally, it is noted that the performance evaluation criteria (PEC) decreases with increasing of mass
flow rate. Therefore, this method may have a better improvement effect with a comparatively lesser flow resistance. In
other words, it is expected to be able to achieve a higher PEC magnitude. In the current work, the thermal performance
and flow resistance characteristics of laminar flow with the serrated fins placed on the wall of a circular tu be through
numerical simulation were studied.

82
 2.6
14 FINS
12 FINS
2.4 10 FINS
8 FINS
4 FINS
2.2

PEC
1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

0.012 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.02 0.022

.
m (Kg/s)

Figure 5. Variation of the PEC with different mass flow rate at different serrated fins, (0, 4, 8,
10, 12, and 14).

The flow visualization in term of 2D streamlines for the water in the case of mass flow rate (0.02 Kg/s) for varied
number of serrated fins are present in Figure 6. It is clearly seen that the increase of the number of serrated fins causes
circulations behind the tips of serrated fin. Circulations in helical swirls s hapes lead eddies to enter deep in the boundary
layer. This behavior of swirls makes the boundary layer thinner. Accordingly, eddies can force the cold fluid in the
outer tube toward to the wall of the concentrations tube and force the hot fluid near the wall of the concentrations tube
toward to the cold fluid flow direction of the outer tube causes increasing the mixing of the flow.
This mixing of flow improves the heat removal. The greater mixing flow and swirl was found with serrated fins
14 and the flow was found weak at serrated fins, 4 because of the flow becomes less disturbed and resulting much weak
convective current and limited effect on the heat transfer rate.

83
“a”

“b”

“c”

84
 “d”

“e”
Figure 6. Velocity at mass flow rate 0.02 Kg/s, S, 61mm, serrated fins [a-4, b-8, c-10, d-12 and
without serrated fins].

5.3 Effect of reverse serrated fins

The effect of reverse serrated fins and the symmetric serrate fins base on the Nusselt number and also it base on
skin friction coefficient in circular pipe is illustrated in figures (7 and 8). As expected, the Nusselt number increases
with the rise of mass flow rate at the two cases because of increasing the temperature gradient at the walls of tube and
it can be ascribed to the increasing of the number of serrated fins which helps to generate a longer flow track around
serrated fins, resulting in considerable swirling strength and excellent fluid mixing.

Moreover, the case with symmetric serrated fins gives a higher Nusselt number comparing with the case of reverse
serrated. It is attributed to the increasing in the resistance to the main flow, which forces the flow to run far of the pipe
wall resulting decrease of temperature gradients. It is also evident that the skin friction coefficien t at the 14 of reverse
serrated fins is higher than the case with the 14 symmetric serrate fins. It is attributed that the reverse serrated fins result

85
largest flow blockage. Moreover, the reverse of serrated fins changes the velocity profile and causes an increase in the
resistance to the main flow resulting increase of skin friction coefficient.

11.5

o
14 fins at angle=13

o
11 14 fins at angle=0

10.5

10

Nuave
9.5

8.5

7.5

0.012 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.02 0.022

.
m (Kg/s)

Figure 7. Nusselt number vs mass flow rate at reverse serrated fins and the symmetric serrate
fins.

0.00225
o
0.0022 14 fins at angle=13
o
14 fins at angle=0
0.00215

0.0021
skin friction coefficient

0.00205

0.002

0.00195

0.0019

0.00185

0.0018

0.00175

0.0017

0.00165

0.0016

0.01 0.012 0.014

.0.016 0.018 0.02 0.022
m (Kg/s)

Figure 8. Skin friction coefficient vs mass flow rate at reverse serrated fins and the symmetric
serrate fins.

6. Conclusions
Serrated fins in circular pipe heat exchanger were used in order to improve the heat transfer convection of laminar in
the tube. Three achievements have been gotten in this research from numerical simulation. These are Nusselt number,
skin friction coefficient, and (PEC). Therefore, the following points have been concluded which can be summarized
as: The average Nusselt number and the heat transfer enhancement for all serrated fins increased with increase of mass
flow rate. A dramatic enhancement in Nusselt number obtained by using serrated fins of vortex generator and base fluid
compared to the plane tube. The maximum skin friction coefficient was found by using the 14 fins of serrated. Because
the larger flow, resistance with using serrated fins was found at the 14 fins. The maximal value of the (PEC) was found
in the case of the 14 fins of serrated and the pitch distance of (S, 61mm). Finally, more research should be studied base
on this area in order to find better result.

86
 References

K. Hashizume et al, Fin efficiency of serrated fins, Heat Transfer Engineering, Vol.23, 2002, pp. 6-14.
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transfer. Inst. f. Thermodynamics and Energy Conversion, Vienna University of Technology.

Carranza, R. G., & Ospina, J. (2006). Fin efficiency of a three sided pyramidal fin of equilateral triangular and variable
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