Optimized tubular radiator with annular fins on a nonisothermal base

In this paper, a large-scale computational analysis has been undertaken of tubular radiators with fin arrays in which the temperature of the fluid varies along the radiator length. The presence of an optimum fin outer diameter for a given pipe diameter, which is independent of other thermophysical parameters, has been brought out. A set of useful correlations, which will enable the designer to quickly evaluate the performance of the system, is developed for different fin profiles. A design methodology assuming an infinite fluid side heat transfer coefficient has been presented. Comparisons have been made for validating the present calculations. © 1994.