关键词: fluid flow and heat transfer numerical simulation;finned tube;spiral finned tube spiral coordinates system

Abstract: In this paper, the standard k-ε two-equation model is adopted to numerically simulate
fully developed fluid flow and heat transfer in a spiral finned tube within a cracking
furnace for ethylene manufacturing. By variable transformation, the original 3-D problem is
converted into a 2-D problem in spiral coordinates. The algorithm of SIMPLEC is used to
study the fully developed fluid flow and heat transfer in the spiral finned tube at
constant periphery temperature and constant axial heat flux. The computed results agree
pretty well with the experimental data obtained from the industry. Further studies on the
fluid flows and temperature profiles at different Reynolds numbers within straight and
spiral finned tubes are conducted and the mechanisms involved are explored. It is found
that with the spiral finned tube, pressure drop increases to a great extent whereas heat
transfer tends to be decreased.

Key words: fluid flow and heat transfer numerical simulation, finned tube, spiral finned tube spiral coordinates system