Computer aided design and optimization of heat exchangers

The aim of this study is analyzing a two-row aluminum plate fin and copper tube blastfreezer evaporator for different geometrical parameters, numerically.In numerical study, the effects of fin pitch, fin thickness, fin material, tube diameter,longitudinal and transverse tube pitches on heat transfer and pressure drop are investigatedin 14 different geometrical models for actual boundary conditions and turbulent flow byusing a CFD software (Fluent). R404A is used as refrigerant. The air inlet velocity rangesbetween 2 ? 4 m/s. Numerical results are compared with theoretical results; it is observedthat numerical results are in good agreement with theoretical results.As a result of the study, the fin pitch has a considerable effect on heat transfer and pressuredrop. The heat transfer and pressure drop increases when the fin pitch decreases. The finthickness has insignificant effect on heat transfer and pressure drop. Increasing tubediameter increases heat transfer and pressure drop. Basically, staggered tube arrangementincreases heat transfer and pressure drop. The transverse tube pitch effect on heat transferrate is negligible whereas pressure drop has a considerable increase when the transversetube pitch decreases. Greater heat transfer rates are obtained as the longitudinal tube pitchincreases, due to the increased heat transfer area. The pressure drop increases with areduction of longitudinal tube pitches. Copper fins increases heat transfer too much. Thepressure drop has no change for different fin material.