Numerical investigation on the thermal-flow performance of humid air-water in the interspace outside staggered tube bundles

•A new model is established to analyze the thermal-flow performance of humid air-water outside staggered tube bundles.•The main factors are obtained to impact the thermal-flow performance of humid air-water outside staggered tube bundles.•New correlations of HSW and pressure drop are obtained in term of the simulation datum.•A correlation is also recommended to design the mass transfer performance of humid air-water outside staggered tube bundles.