Off Set Strip Fins Thermo Hydraulic Performance Analysis Through CFD Simulation

A computational simulation of the thermo hydraulic performance of a trapezoidal Off Set Strip Fin (OSF) is performed. The simulations are carried for Reynolds number ranging from 300 to 9000 considering three-dimensional conditions (3D). Calculations were developed assuming a constant flow. Colburn factor j, and the friction factor f, were calculated. Uniform temperature condition is assumed at the solid surface and at the inlet. The results have been compared with studies made by Kays and London, (1984), Manglik and Bergles (1990), and Muzychka and Yovanovich, (2001). According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is able to explore the behavior and performance of this kind of fin, showing that the hydraulic performance is well represented by correlations widely used in literature, while thermal performance seems to be under predicted.