Finned Tube Heat Exchanger - Details

Finned Tube Heat Exchangers (FTHE) /Air Fin
Coolers:

Method of Heat Transfer:

An Finned Tube heat exchanger, is simply a pressure vessel which cools a
circulating fluid within finned tubes by forcing ambient air over the exterior of the
tubes. Also, This is known as device for rejecting heat from a fluid directly to ambient air. The
main advantage of an FTHE is that it does not require water, which means the plants requiring large
cooling capacities are need not be located near a supply of cooling water.

Purpose of Finned Tube Heat Exchangers :

1. Finned Tube heat exchangers are generally used where a process system generates
heat which must be removed, but for which there is no local use. Also This is One of
the simplest ways is to use the ambient air.

2. They are usually used when the outlet temperature is more than about 20 deg. F
above the maximum expected ambient air temperature. They can be used with
closer approach temperatures, but often become expensive compared to a
combination of a cooling tower and a water‐cooled exchangers.

3. The most important thing is, They are a ʺgreenʺ solution as compared to cooling
towers and shell and tube heat exchangers because they do not require an auxiliary
water supply (water lost due to drift and evaporation, plus no water treatment
chemicals are required).

Components of Finned Tube Heat Exchanger:

1. Tube Bundle – Contains No of Finned Tubes
2. Fan
3. Fan Ring
4. Plenum
5. Header
6. Nozzle
7. Drive Assembly
8. Column Support
9. Inlet Bell

Design of Finned Tube Heat Exchangers :

Thermal Design :

The design of FTHE are made based on
1. FTHEs are subject to a wide variety of constantly changing climatic
conditions which pose problems of control not encountered with shell and
tube exchangers.
2. Then, We will work on economic balance between the cost of electrical power
for the fans and the initial capital expenditure for the equipment. A decision
made as to what ambient air temperature should be used for design. Air flow
rate and exhaust temperature are initially unknown and can be varied in the
design stage by varying the number of tube rows and thus varying the face
area.
The basic heat transfer relationships that apply to shell and tube exchangers also
apply to FTHEs. The fundamental relation is the Fourier equation:
Also, Q = m cp dT Relation is used for Other Assumptions.
Then, 1. Fan Selection,
3. Drive Required for Fan. (Horse power Requirement).
In all above Types of Heat Exchangers , Main Heat Transfer Elements are:
1. Tubes,
2. Fins and
3. Fan (Actuating Device for Heat Transfer)

Tube Material Selection:
The material selection is made as per Process Application, And Cost of Heat
Exchangers
We use following materials for Constructions:
1. Carbon Steel
2. Stainless Steel
3. Admiralty brass,
4. Copper,
5. And Exotic alloys.

Fin Materials Selection :
1. Aluminum Fins are mostly used one,
2. Copper Wire Fins for Specific Applications.
3. Galvanized Iron Fins – For Low cost Projects.
Also We use Cast Zinc bands at the end of the Tubes and Tube Supports, To
Prevent Fins From Unwrapping.
Fins Selection:
We choose the Appropriate Fins based on Specific Applications Like
Below,
1. L and Overlapped L Fins :
The L fin design is for design temperatures less than 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This fin offers a certain
degree of atmospheric protection of the tube wall against corrosion. The broad contact surface
between the tube and the finning enhances heat trasnfer. This fin design is the most economical.
The overlapped L fin design is for customers who want an increased level of tube
coverage. The foot of the L fin is simply overlapped onto the previous L foot. This
results in a slightly higher level of tube corrosion protection and allowable design
temperature.
This fin is created by forming an aluminum strip into an L‐shape which is then
tension wound around the primary tube. Each L section is positioned against each
other to ensure complete tube coverage.

2. Embedded or G fins :

The Embedded fin is designed for high temperature and / or cyclical applications.
3. Extruded Fin :
Typically extruded fins are used in corrosive atmospheric conditions, such as off‐
shore applications, or at operating temperatures less than 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
This fin design is the least economical as compared to the other fin types, primarily
due to the increased amount of aluminum used (~40%) and the increased labor
required to manufacture. However this increased cost can be offset if a lower grade
parent tube material is used.
The extruded fin is manufactured by compressing an aluminum bloom, or sleeve,
onto the parent tube. The bloom is exposed to extremely high pressures which
essentially ʺgrowsʺ the fins into the final fin profile. The process produces an
extremely strong joint with excellent heat transfer capabilities.
Standards In Finned Tube Heat Exchangers :
Also, These include such items as galvanizing vs. painting, types of headers,
maintenance walkways and platforms, controls, and external loads on the cooler.
Also We follows Standards in Heat Exchanger Constructions.

Applications of Air cooled Heat Exchangers :
All our Heat Exchangers are customized for each client’s needs, thus providing the
ability to service nearly every air cooler application. Our air coolers are installed
throughout the world in the following applications:
• Hydrocarbon process and steam condensers
• Large engine radiators
• Turbine lube oil coolers
• Turbine intercoolers
• Natural gas and vapor coolers
• Combustion pre‐heaters
• Flue gas re‐heaters

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