Research on air pressure drop in helically-finned tube heat exchangers

Abstract

In order to establish a reliable procedure for estimation of air pressure drop, extensive investigation of the open literature has been conducted. The equations from mostly cited literature sources were tested against the experimental data given in the open literature and certain level of uncertainty was found. Using published experimental data, new correlations for estimation of air pressure drop in helically-finned tube bundles with in-line and staggered tube arrangement have been established. Chosen form of correlations successfully describes operating regimes for wide range of Reynolds number and geometrical parameters.