Abstract
An experimental investigation has been performed to clarify the characteristics of heat transfer from staggered semi-circular tube bank in cross flow. The flow field development inside the tube bank has been illustrated by the smoke flow visualization technique. The influence of the tube angle of attack and bank layout on heat transfer characteristics has been presented and discussed. Empirical correlation has been deduced to describe the thermal performance of the semi-circular bank. The correlation shows the variation of Nusselt number as a function of Reynolds number, angle of attack, and transverse to longitudinal pitch ratio. The tested Reynolds number is ranged from 4.2.10(3) to 5.4.10(4). The thermal performance of the semi-circular tube bank has been compared with circular and elliptical tube banks. Experimental results showed that the thermal performance of the semi-circular tube bank approaches the performance of a circular bank as the Reynolds number increases.