Fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in plate-fin heat exchanger with irregular-shaped hole leading flow structure.

Fluid inhomogeneous distribution affects heat transfer efficiency in the plate-fin heat exchanger (PFHE). In order to improve fluid uniform distribution in the exchanger, the irregular-shaped hole leading flow structure (IHLFS) was proposed for solving fluid inhomogeneous distribution among different layers of PFHE. The inlet distributor with irregular-shaped holes was designed according to different inlet flow velocities aiming at improving fluid uniform distribution. The results on fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics were carried out by the methods of CFD and experimental analysis, and finally, the fluid flow characteristics in inlet section of PFHE with IHLFS were achieved. Comparing with round hole leading flow structure (RHLFS), it can be observed that fluid distribution in PFHE with IHLFS is more uniform than that with round hole, however, the dynamic pressure increases accordingly and finally, increases the ratio of heat transfer and dynamic pressure. The comparison results also demonstrate that the IHLFS can improve fluid distribution, decrease fluid impact in inlet section of PFHE and finally, improve heat transfer enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]