Heat transfer and flow characteristics of spiral fin-and-tube heat exchangers: A review

In the present study, an attempt has been made to summarize and analyze the results of an examination of the air-side performance of spiral (or helical) fin-and-tube heat exchangers. Currently, the spiral fin-and-tube heat exchanger is a favored type of heat exchanger for the waste heat recovery unit (WHRU), a kind of economizer system. The present paper is broadly divided into an experimental section and numerical and simulation sections. A significant fraction of the papers herein reviewed pertains to the effect of fin configurations, tube arrangements, operating conditions, and other factors on the air-side performance of the spiral fin-and-tube heat exchangers. Approximately 40 published articles related to spiral fin-and-tube heat exchangers are briefly described. Moreover, the air-side performance correlations of spiral fin and circular fin-and-tube heat exchangers are compiled into this work for practical industrial applications.