Countercurrent gas–liquid flow in plate-fin heat exchangers with plain and perforated fins

• Published in: The International journal of heat and fluid flow Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 450 - 459
• Main Authors: Souidi, N., Bontemps, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-08-2001; Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Compact heat exchangers; Countercurrent flow; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Flooding; Fluid mechanics; Fluids mechanics; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); Mechanics; Narrow rectangular channels; Perforated fins; Physics; Plain fins; Reflux condensation; Plain fins; Narrow rectangular channels; Compact heat exchangers; Perforated fins; Flooding; Countercurrent flow; Reflux condensation; Heat exchanger; Plate heat exchanger; Gas liquid flow; Compact heat exchanger; Narrow channel; Experimental study; Rectangular channel; Condensation
• ISSN: 0142-727X; 1879-2278
• DOI: 10.1016/S0142-727X(01)00076-5

Countercurrent gas–liquid flow in narrow rectangular channels simulated by plain and perforated fins is studied. Different flow patterns dependent on flow rates are observed and visualised in the channels. Flooding velocities and pressure drops are measured. Results are compared with previous experimental data obtained in rectangular channels. The present results focus on two particular types of flooding phenomena: that occurring at the column base and linked to plugging and that at the top, linked to reentrainment. A further set of experiments using perforated fins surprisingly shows a greater tendency to flooding of the perforated fins. However, there are marked differences for the two types of fins and an explanation may be the two distinct flooding occurrences.