The effect of plate-fin types on the thermal-hydraulic and second law performances of a vehicle intercooler Online publication date: Wed, 03-Oct-2018
by Ahmet Yasin Sedef; Kemal Bilen
International Journal of Exergy (IJEX), Vol. 27, No. 3, 2018
Abstract: In this study, five fin types namely, plain fins, louvered fins, offset strip fins, wavy fins and perforated fins utilisable in the design of vehicle intercoolers are theoretically examined. The aim is to see their effect on the thermal-hydraulic and second law performances of the intercooler. In the analysis, Ford Cargo TCI engine specifications are used to establish intercooler's operating conditions. Totally, 15 different fin geometries of five types are analysed. The results show that offset strip 1/9-24.12 fin provide highest thermal performance, with 99.8% effectiveness and 33.23 kW heat transfer while causing 12.57% pressure loss in the hot fluid. Conversely, plain 9.03 fin maintains the least pressure drop, 0.53%, but with effectiveness of 43.3%. For rational efficiency, plain fins possess highest values ranging 0.37 to 0.405. Moreover, as the hot fluid flow rate increases flow imbalance diminishes and thus rational efficiency increases up to a certain point.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Exergy (IJEX):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook