Investigation of the flow conditions in a high-performance heat exchanger

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) computations are carried out in order to investigate the flow distribution and its influence on the heat transfer processes in the high-performance heat exchanger. The subject of this investigation is the classical model of the high-performance heat exchanger with elliptical tubes and rectangular fins. It is possible to find the flow domains where the heat transfer conditions are impaired due to the fully developed turbulent flow. Therefore, the considerable thermal loads occur that may cause the breakdown of the heat exchanger. The emphasis of this investigation is put on the zones and the locations where the tubes are not properly fed with liquid, that result in occurrence of cavitation.