Experimental study of the thermal-hydraulic performance of a brazed aluminum heat exchanger under wet-surface conditions

Using an open-loop wind tunnel and a full-cone water spray nuzzle, the air-side performance of a liquid-to-air heat exchanger is studied experimentally for wet-surface conditions. The test specimen is a brazed-aluminum, louvered-fin heat exchanger. The total capacity, pressure drop and water drainage behavior under various water usage rates and air face velocities are explored and compared to data from dry-surface conditions. The impact of spray orientation is also studied. The results are presented as plots against water usage rate or water spray rate per unit heat transfer area. The experimental data are used to validate a model developed for simultaneous heat and mass transfer of a wetted heat exchanger. Fouling on the fin surface is observed in the experiment, and fouling characteristics are discussed in this thesis.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Feini

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jacobi, Anthony M.

• wet surface
• fouling
• experiment
• evaporative cooling
• spray
• louver-fin heat exchanger

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Feini Zhang

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/31930

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/31930