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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

An experimental analysis of heat transfer in coiled tubes

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The axial temperature distribution and average heat transfer coefficients were measured for a coiled tube heat exchanger. Water was heated inside the tube under turbulent flow conditions by low pressure steam condensing on the outside. Inside and outside film coefficients were determined at relatively high Reynolds numbers. Consequently, inside convection coefficients were of the same order of magnitude as the outside condensation coefficients. The inside coefficients were found to be in agreement with recent analytical solutions. Even with large variations in fluid transport properties, the axial temperature distribution was essentially linear and therefore may be represented by previous analytical solutions. Initial measurement of convective dispersion in coiled tubes was attempted using magnetic flowmeters. This approach was not successful and yielded only preliminary qualitative information as a result of an unexpected experimental problem. Recommendations are presented for an improved flowmeter design that could be used for future dispersion measurements.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1972

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Aldrich, Scott G.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/74101
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/74101

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Aldrich, Scott G.. An experimental analysis of heat transfer in coiled tubes. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1972. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/74101