Experimental Study of Fouling Characteristics According to The Fin Shape of Finned Tube Type Heat Exchanger

This study aimed to analyze fouling characteristics in fin-tube heat exchangers based on different fin shapes. Specifically, it compares wavy fin and louver fin heat exchangers. The experiments results showed that narrower fin spacing and higher flow rates resulted in significant pressure drop, increased thermal resistance, and reduced heat transfer performance. Wavy fin heat exchangers showed about 5.8 times and 2.13 times pressure drop increase at flow velocities of 1.2 m/s and 1.8 m/s, respectively. On the other hand, louver fin heat exchangers exhibited approximately 2.13 times and 1.83 times increase at the same flow velocities. Under the same particulate concentration conditions, wavy fin heat exchangers showed a higher pressure drop increase rate compared to louver fin heat exchangers over time. The pressure drop increase with respect to fin spacing was approximately 7.46 times and 12.48 times for the wavy fin shape heat exchangers with 14 FPI and 17 FPI, respectively. For the louver fin shape, the pressure drop increase was about 4.41 times and 5.15 times for 14 FPI and 17 FPI heat exchangers, respectively. Regression analysis was performed using fouling experimental conditions, dust input, fin pitch, and flow rate. Subsequently, a pressure drop prediction formula based on the experimental data was derived.