SUSTAINABLE ENERGY UTILISATION – SEU-LAB4

DETERMINING HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS FOR A

FINNED-TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER WITH FORCED
CONVECTION

Before the lab lesson, you should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What is meant by U and αf in eq.3?

2. In eqn.4, which is the main contribution to the heat transfer coefficient? Is it

from convection, diffusion or radiation? On what do you base your answer?

3. Is the length used to calculate the average and the inner tube areas, Am and A1,
in eqn. 3, the same as the one used to calculate the boiling number in eq. 10?
Explain.

4. Is the refrigerant flow in the condenser the same as in the finned coil
evaporator? Explain.

5. How is the fin efficiency ξ determined? It is strongly recommended that you

make necessary calculations and draw the line to determine fin efficiency
before you come to the lab lesson.

6. How is the heat transfer coefficient αf calculated according to 8.55 in [1]1?

1
Granryd et al., 2008, Refrigerating Engineering, Dept of Energy Technology, KTH, Stockholm,
Sweden

1
 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY UTILISATION – LAB LESSON NO. 4

DETERMINING HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS FOR A

FINNED-TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER WITH FORCED
CONVECTION

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this lab lesson is to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient and
the heat transfer coefficient related to the fin surface of a heat exchanger placed in an
air duct with forced convection and cooled on the inside by boiling refrigerant. The
theory below is mainly based on Chapter 8 in the textbook Refrigerating Engineering
by Granryd et al., 2002 [1]. Bring the book to the lab lesson.

THEORY:

The following equations describe the heat transfer for a finned-tube heat exchanger
(compare with figure 2):

. .

Q = U. A. ϑ ϑ= Q /(U. A) (1a)

. .

Q = α1. A1. ϑ 1 ϑ 1= Q /(α1. A1) (1b)

. .

Q = (λt/ δt). Am. ϑ t ϑ t= Q .δt /(λt. Am) (1c)

. .

Q = (α2. A2 + αf. ξ. Af). ϑ 2 ϑ2= Q /(α2. A2 +αf . ξ. Af) (1d)

The overall heat transfer is given by eq.1a, while eqns. 1b-1d give the heat transfer on
the inside tube, through the tube wall and on the finned outside.

The temperature difference over the heat exchanger can be expressed as:

ϑ = ϑ 1+ ϑ t+ ϑ 2 (2)

The heat transfer for a finned-tube heat exchanger can then, if we assume that α2=αf,
be expressed as:

1
=
1
+ δ t
+
1
(3)
U. A α f .( A2 + ξ . Af ) λ .A
t m α 1. A1
The surfaces are as follows: Af is the finned surface. A2 is the free outer tube area
between the fins. Am and A1 are the average and inner tube areas. Finally, A = (A2+ Af)
is the overall surface area (for values, see page 4). The overall heat transfer coefficient

2
U is referred to A. The other heat transfer coefficients α1, α2 and αf are referred to A1,
A2 and Af. Further, is the thermal conductivity of the tube; δt = (d2-d1)/2 is the tube
wall thickness and ξ is the fin efficiency (compare with figure 2).

The heat transfer coefficient between the air and the outer surface of the finned-tube
heat exchanger, Af, refer to the total heat transfer coefficient, αf, which is the sum of
heat transfer coefficients from convection (αc), diffusion (αd), and radiation (αr)
where,

αf = αc +αd + αr (4)

The contribution from radiation in this forced convection finned-tube heat exchanger
is very small. It can be neglected since the active area for radiation is only the
circumferential area of the heat exchanger.

A contribution from diffusion is obtained when dew or frost appears on the tube or
finned-tube surface. This occurs when the surface temperature is lower than the dew
point of the surrounding air (see also 8.50 in [1]). As we have a closed air duct and
add no water, we do not expect much contribution from diffusion in steady state
condition.

What temperature difference should be used when calculating the overall heat transfer
coefficient (U)? The logarithmic mean temperature difference ( ϑ m) is commonly
used in parallel and counter-flow heat exchangers and is defined as:

ϑ m = (ϑ 1 - ϑ 2)/ ln(ϑ 1/ ϑ 2) (5)

Where ϑ 1 and ϑ 2 are temperature differences between the fluids at he two ends of the
heat exchanger.

The overall heat transfer coefficient of finned-tube heat exchanger with forced
convection is also usually based on the logarithmic mean temperature difference
( ϑ m). The values for U and αf, calculated from test results using the logarithmic mean
temperature difference as a base, represent surface mean values of the local values
along the heat exchanger.

Some equations and data for heat transfer coefficients of finned-tube heat exchanger
with forced convection can be found in 8.23, 8.54 –55 in [1].

3
TEST EQUIPMENT:

The test equipment consists of a test rig with a finned-coil evaporator. On the airside,
the circulating air is heated and cooled in a duct. The airflow and thereby the air
velocity is controlled by a speed regulator connected to the fan (see figure 1).

The cooling is provided with a flooded finned-coil evaporator with five parallel tubes
and a low-pressure receiver. This free-convection flooder evaporator is connected to a
compressor refrigeration unit with a rotary compressor and a brazed plate heat
exchanger as a condenser (see figure 4 and compare with 8.04-05 in [1]).

TEST PROCEDURE:

The lab assistant has usually started the lab lesson machinery and adjusted the
equipment for the first point of measuring. This includes following steps:

Open the water faucet to the condenser and adjusting some valves in the refrigeration
circuit. Start the fan and the compressor. The speed regulator connected to the fan and
the heater is adjusted for the first measuring point. The hand-regulated valve between
the receiver and the finned-coil evaporator should be adjusted to give a good
circulation of refrigerant in the evaporator tubes. This can be done by first adjusting
the valve to give a small superheat after the evaporator (t 16) and then open it more to
get he desired circulation and a mean vapour quality x≈0.4-0.6 at the exit of the
evaporator tubes (consult the Lab Assistant). When temperatures are stable for each
measuring point, the measured values should be noted in Table 1.

Adjust the speed regulator connected to the fan for the next measuring point. Adjust
also the power to the heater so that the temperature of the circulated air at the inlet of
the finned coil is maintained constant. Adjust the hand-regulated valve between the
receiver and the evaporator as mentioned above.

When all measurements have been taken, the Assistant will show you how to close
the machinery.

CALCULATIONS AND REPRESENTATION:

To calculate the heat transfer coefficient on the airside (αf) from eq.3, we first need to
know the overall heat transfer coefficient (U), the heat transfer coefficient on the
inside (α1), and the fin efficiency (ξ). For the representation, we also need to know
the front velocity of the air into the fin battery (Wfr).

Calculation of the overall heat transfer coefficient (U):

The overall heat transfer coefficient (U) is determined in the following way: Through
.
an energy balance, over the condenser we determine the condenser capacity ( Q 1), the
circulated refrigerant flow ( m& R , I ) in the condenser and then finally the refrigerating
.
capacity of the evaporator ( Q 2). To get an even temperature in the evaporator, we use
the system with flooded finned-coil evaporator with five parallel tubes and a low-

4
pressure receiver, which gives incomplete evaporation. We get he following equations
(see also figure 3):
.

Q 1= ( m& ·cp)w·∆tW (6)

. . .
m& R , I = Q 1/∆h1 = Q 1/(h1k-hs) = Q 1/(h14-h11) (7)

Q 2 = m& R,E . (h16-h15)

.

Q 2= m& R ,I . ∆h2 = m& R ,I . (h2k-hs) = m& R ,I . (h13-h11) (8)

U= Q& 2 /(A. ϑ m) (9)

The logarithmic mean temperature difference ( ϑ m) is determined from eq.5.

Assuming incomplete evaporation (x<1), we can choose ϑ 1 = ta,in - t15 and
ϑ 2 = ta,out - t16, where, ta,in = (t1+t2+t3+t4)/4 and ta,out = (t5+t6+t7+t8)/4. Symbols are
defined in Table 1.

The following values for the finned-coil surfaces, distances and thermal conductivity
are valid with symbols according to eqn.3.

A1 = 0.198 m2 A = A2 + Af =2.65 m2

Am = 0.221 m2 d1 = 0.0078 m

A2 = 0.232 m2 d2 = 0.0095 m

Af = 2.42 m2 λt = 380 W/(m.°C)

Calculation of the heat transfer coefficient on the inside (α1):

The heat transfer coefficient on the inside α1 (which also could be defined as αboil),
can be determined from a relation given by Pierre for boiling refrigerants in tubes,
which gives the average coefficient along the tube.

For incomplete evaporation (vapor quality at exit of tube <1), Pierre equation gives;

Nu = C1. Re. Kf ½ (10)

Where,
Nu = α d/λl’ is the Nusselt number;
Re = 4 m& R, II / (πdµl’) is the Reynold’s number;
Kf = ∆h2,II / (g.L) is Pierre’s “boiling number”;
.
The refrigerant flow in each of the parallel evaporator tube is m& R , II = Q 2 / (5. ∆h2,II)
and ∆h2,II =r.∆ x where r = latent heat of vaporization and ∆ x = change in vapour
quality between outlet and inlet of the evaporator (a circulation number n can be
defined; n=1/∆ x ).

5
By adjusting the evaporator in the way discussed before, we aim to achieve x≈0.4-0.6
(the circulation number can be assumed in between, n=1/∆ x ; 1,7-2,5) (see t16 in
Figure 3). To calculateα1 from eq.10 (incomplete evaporation), the heat of
vaporization as well as thermal conductivity (λl’) and the dynamic viscosity (µl’) of
the liquid at the evaporating temperature can be obtained from Tables A: 10-12 for
R134a in [1]. The length (L) and the inner diameter (d) of each of the parallel tubes
are 6·0.270 and 0.0078 m respectively. Acceleration due to gravity (g) is assumed to
be 9.81 m/s2.

The constant (C1) Pierre used in eq.10 was 1.1·10-3. Note that the thermal properties
have been revised since Pierre established his equation and it is now suggested that
the constant C1 should be reduced by 15% (see 8.32 in [1]).

Calculations of the heat transfer coefficient related to the finned surface:

To determine the heat transfer coefficient (αf) we calculate the product (αf ξ) with the
aid of eq.3, first with the simplification that we put A2 = 0, so that we get (αf ξ Af) = αf
ξ Af. Then αf ξ is easily calculated from:

1
=
1
- δ - 1t

α f Af
.ξ . ) U. A λ .A α .A
t m 1 1

Only the air velocity and the heat transfer coefficient varies for the finned coil during
the lab lesson and as a result, we get the fin efficiency ξ = f(αf). Hence, a given heat
transfer coefficient αf, determines the fin efficiency.

The following procedure to determine the fin efficiency (preferably done as a before
coming to the lab lesson) results in an almost straight line in Figure 5.

Start by using Figure 6 “Fin efficiency for different types of fins”. The fin efficiency
is a function of αf. The following dimensions of the fins that can be viewed as
hexagonal: 2.r = 9.6 mm, 2.H = 24.8 mm, 2.R = 21.6 mm, δf = 0.2 mm, λf =
210 W/(m.K). Calculate ρ for hexagonal fins and draw ρ = const in Figure 6.
Calculate L (m) and then (α/λ.δ)L2 for example for αf = 50, 100, 150 and 200
W/(m.K) and determine ξ and then αf ξ for these values.

These ξ and αf ξ values can now be plotted in Figure 5. A comparison with (αf) from
the simplified eq.3 (mentioned above) gives the fin efficiencyξ. This ξ value is now
put into the complete eq.3 to give a more accurate value forαf.
.
The front velocity of the air into the finned-coil Wfr = V /Afr is obtained as follows:
The front area of the air duct can be measured with a ruler as Afr = 0.270*0.275 m2.
.
The relation between the volume flow (V ) and the pressure drop (∆P) for the
.
calibrated orifice (see Figure 2) is V = 0.0305 (∆P)0.5.

6
The heat transfer coefficient αf is finally also determined with the methods described
under 8.54 and 8.55 in [1]. The finned-coil in the laboratory rig has approximately the
following dimensions (with symbols as appearing in Table 8.55a): s = 3.8 mm, δf =
0.2 mm, L = 65 mm, z = 1, d = 9.6 mm, ST = 25.5 mm, SL = 21.6 mm, zr = 3,
staggered tubes. You can for air, use the thermal conductivity λ=0.024 W/m.K and
kinematic viscosity ν = 1.47*10-5 m2/s.

PRESENTATION IN DIAGRAM:

- Plot in Diagram 1, the calculated values for the overall heat transfer coefficient U
and the heat transfer coefficient related to the fin surface αf (calculated from the
complete eq.3) as a function of the air velocity Wfr. Draw straight lines through these
sets of values.

- Compare the U-values with the corresponding values in Table 8.23a

- Draw as a line in Diagram 1, the appropriate equation from 8.54 in [1]. Determine
for αf (calculated from eq.3), constants and exponents according to αf = C.(ρ)n.(Wfr)n.
Compare.

- Plot αf also from appropriate equations in 8.55 in [1]. Symbols are given above.

Discuss the results.

7
TABLE 1: MEASURED VALUES
TEST NO:
1 2 3 4
Cooling water mass flow rate (kg/s) m& w
Compressor inlet pressure (bar) p2k
Compressor outlet pressure (bar) p1k
Air temp before finned battery (°C) t1
-"- t2
-"- t3
-"- t4
Air temp after finned battery t5
-"- t6
-"- t7
-"- t8
Cooling water inlet temp t9
Cooling water outlet temp t10
Condenser outlet temp t11 (ts)
Receiver inlet temp t12
Compressor inlet temp t13 (t2k)
Compressor outlet temp t14 (t1k)
Evaporator inlet temp t15
Evaporator outlet temp t16
Ambient air temp t17
Pressure drop (Pa) ∆p
Estimated change in vapor quality ∆x

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TABLE 2: CALCULATIONS
TEST NO:
1 2 3 4
Transferred condenser power Q& 1
Refri. mass flow rate in condenser m& R , I

Cooling capacity (eqn 8) Q& 2

Temp difference between media ϑ1

-"- ϑ2
Mean temp difference ϑm
Overall heat transfer coefficient U
Dynamic viscosity, R134a (liquid) µ’l
Enthalpy change in evaporator ∆h2,II
Refrigerant flow in one tube & R , II
m
Reynold's number (one tube) ReII
"Boiling number" (one tube) Kf,II
Nusselt number NuII
Thermal conductivity, R134a λ’l
Inside heat transfer coefficient α1
Value in simplified equation 1/(αf·ξ·Af)
Value of simplified eqn product αf·ξ
Fin efficiency ξ
Heat transfer coefficient (Eqn 3) αf
Pressure drop (orifice) ∆p
Volumetric Air flow rate V&
Front velocity of air wfr
Heat transfer coefficient (8.54) αf
Factor kRe
Factor Ch
Heat transfer coefficient (8.55) αf