Investigation of Natural Convective Air Flow Field through Comb Channels

R. Umhack, M. Rainer, M. Tamerle, and G. Hillmer
Process-, Environmental- and Bio- technology, MCI - University of Applied Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria
Published in 2008

A new type of radiator with a package of combs, to gain a larger area for heat exchange, instead of trapezoidal convector plates, is investigated. The main aim is to find the optimal comb diameter.

To solve this problem, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) with COMSOL Multiphysics is used. A chart showing radiator power was produced, which includes radiator power for different temperatures and heights.

Validation of these findings were made with the aid of measurements of a conventional radiator, to be sure that the settings of the CFD are correct. From here, a recommendation of which comb diameter for a prototype is given.

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