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Cited by 464Heat Transfer and OptimizationHeat Transfer MechanismsHeat Transfer and Boiling Studies

Heat transfer and friction characteristics of plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers, part II: Correlation

Wang, Chi-Chuan, Chi, Kuan-Yu, Chang, Chun-Jung·2000·International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
DOI 10.1016/s0017-9310(99)00333-6
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AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper develops heat transfer and friction correlations for plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers using a screened database of 74 samples. The proposed heat transfer correlation describes 88.6% of the database within ±15%, and the friction correlation describes 85.1% within ±15%.

Key findings

  • The proposed heat transfer correlation has a mean deviation of 7.51% (reported as 7.53% in the text/conclusions), and the proposed friction correlation has a mean deviation of 8.31%.
  • The heat transfer correlation captures 88.6% of the j-factor database within ±15%, while the friction correlation captures 85.1% of the f-factor database within ±15%.
  • Against the same database, the McQuiston correlation gives mean deviations of 34.4% for j and 40.6% for f; Gray and Webb gives 15.8% for j and 22.4% for f; Seshimo and Fujii gives 11.3% for j and 23.3% for f.
  • The heat transfer correlation absorbs contact conductance into the airside performance, estimated to be less than 7% of the airside performance.

Methods

  • A total of 74 plain fin-and-tube heat exchanger samples were collected after screening published data for clear reduction methods; sources include Wang [14], Wang et al. [15,16,8], Wang and Chi [1], Rich [9,17], and Seshimo and Fujii [6].
  • The database covers fin pattern plain, N = 1–6 tube rows, D_o = 6.35–12.7 mm, F_p = 1.19–8.7 mm, P_t = 17.7–31.75 mm, and P_l = 12.4–27.5 mm.
  • Multiple linear regression was used to determine correlation parameters and exponents for the Coburn j factor and friction factor f; the Seshimo and Fujii data were combined with a contact conductance correlation before correlation development.

Limitations

  • Stated: many published works did not clearly report their data reduction method or circuitry, so data were screened out; contact resistance is difficult to predict accurately and was absorbed into the airside performance for practical correlation development.
  • Stated: the correlation applicability is limited to plain fin geometry and the listed geometry ranges (N = 1–6, D_o = 6.35–12.7 mm, F_p = 1.19–8.7 mm, P_t = 17.7–31.75 mm, P_l = 12.4–27.5 mm).
  • Evident: the paper has no separate limitations section, and the database mixes proprietary, unpublished, and published sources with differing experimental uncertainties and reduction assumptions.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/s0017-9310(99)00333-6

Cites

11 of 11 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 25 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Abstract · p. 1

    A correlation for fin-and-tube heat exchanger having plain fin geometry is proposed in this study.

    “A correlation for fin-and-tube heat exchanger having plain fin geometry is proposed in this study.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The 74 samples remaining after screening are sufficient and representative for developing a general correlation for plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers.
  • Findingown data
    § 3. Results and discussion · p. 7

    The present heat transfer correlation gives a mean deviation of 7.53%.

    “the present heat transfer correlation gives a mean deviation of 7.53%, whereas the proposed friction correlation shows a 8.31% mean deviation.”
    • Also stated in: § 4. Conclusions · p. 8 · plain
      “The mean deviation of the heat transfer correlation is 7.53% and of the friction correlation is 8.31%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § 3. Results and discussion · p. 7

    The proposed heat transfer correlation can describe 88.6% of the j factors within 15%.

    “The proposed heat transfer correlation can describe 88.6% of the j factors within 15% and Eq. (12) can correlate 85.1% of the friction factors within 15%.”
    • Also stated in: § 4. Conclusions · p. 8 · plain
      “The proposed heat transfer correlation can describe 88.6% of the databank within 2 15%, while the friction correlation can correlate 85.1% of the database within 2 15%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § 3. Results and discussion · p. 7

    The mean deviation of the heat transfer correlation for the Gray and Webb correlation is 15.8%.

    “As seen, the mean deviation of heat transfer correlation for the McQuiston correlation, the Gray and Webb correlation, and the Seshimo and Fujii correlation [6] are 34.4, 15.8, and 11.3%, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Gray, 1986, Heat transfer and friction correlations for plate finned-tube heat exchangers having plain fins source
  • Findingown data
    § 3. Results and discussion · p. 7

    The mean deviation of the heat transfer correlation for the Seshimo and Fujii correlation is 11.3%.

    “As seen, the mean deviation of heat transfer correlation for the McQuiston correlation, the Gray and Webb correlation, and the Seshimo and Fujii correlation [6] are 34.4, 15.8, and 11.3%, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Y. Seshimo, M. Fujii, An experimental study of the performance of plate fin and tube heat exchangers at low Reynolds number, in: Proceeding of the 3rd ASME/JSME Thermal Engineering Joint Conference 4 (1991) 449–454

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 6
  • May combine two claims. 3

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § 3. Results and discussion · p. 7

    The correlation by Seshimo and Fujii is valid to one- and two-row in the range of 0.5-2.5 m s^-1.

    “Notice that the correlation by Seshimo and Fujii [6] is valid to one- and two-row in the range of 0.5-2.5 m s 1 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Y. Seshimo, M. Fujii, An experimental study of the performance of plate fin and tube heat exchangers at low Reynolds number, in: Proceeding of the 3rd ASME/JSME Thermal Engineering Joint Conference 4 (1991) 449–454

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Heat transfer and friction characteristics of plain fin-andtube heat exchangers, part II: Correlation · p. 1

    The Gray and Webb [3] correlation significantly improved the predictive capability of friction factors, and its heat transfer correlation is comparable to that of McQuiston [2].

    “The Gray and Webb [3] correlation had significantly improved the predictive capability of friction factors, and the heat transfer correlation is comparable to that of McQuiston [2].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] Gray, 1986, Heat transfer and friction correlations for plate finned-tube heat exchangers having plain fins source
    • cites [2] McQuiston, 1978, Correlation of heat, mass and momentum transport coefficients for plate-fin-tube heat transfer surface, ASHRAE Transactions

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § 2. The data bank · p. 3

    Sheffield et al. [12] reported that the contact conductance, hc, ranged from 10,607 to 30,828 W m-2 K-1.

    “She eld et al. [12] reported that the contact conductance, h c , ranged from 10,607 to 30,828 W m 2 K 1 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Sheffild, 1989, Experimental investigation of thermal conductance of finned tube contacts, Exp. Thermal Fluid Sci source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § 2. The data bank · p. 3

    Seshimo [11] pointed out contact conductance values between 10,000-15,000 W m-2 K-1.

    “Seshimo [11] pointed out the values between 10,000-15,000 W m 2 K 1 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Y. Seshimo, private communication (1998)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Heat transfer and friction characteristics of plain fin-andtube heat exchangers, part II: Correlation · p. 2

    Using smaller tubes can achieve higher heat transfer coefficients, lower pressure drops, and less refrigerant charge, leading to more compact fin-and-tube heat exchangers design.

    “This is because higher heat transfer coe cients, lower pressure drops, and less refrigerant charge can be achieved by using smaller tubes, and eventually led to much more compact fin-and-tube heat exchangers design (see the test results by Wang et al. [1]).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] C.-C. Wang, K.-Y. Chi, Heat transfer and friction characteristics of plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers, part I: new experimental data, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 43 (2000) source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § 2. The data bank · p. 3

    The e-NTU relations depend on the circuitry arrangement, and reduced data are only meaningful if investigators use correct e-NTU relations.

    “As pointed out by Wang et al. [13], e -NTU relations depend on the circuitry arrangement, the reduced data are only meaningful if the investigators use correct e -NTU relations to reduce their test results.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Wang, 1999, Heat transfer and friction correlation for compact louvered fin-and-tube heat exchangers, Int. J. of Heat and Mass Transfer source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § 2. The data bank · p. 3

    The database of Seshimo and Fujii [6] was combined with the contact conductance correlation first [10] before the development of correlation.

    “The database of Seshimo and Fujii [6] were combined with the contact conductance correlation first [10] before the development of correlation).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [6] Y. Seshimo, M. Fujii, An experimental study of the performance of plate fin and tube heat exchangers at low Reynolds number, in: Proceeding of the 3rd ASME/JSME Thermal Engineering Joint Conference 4 (1991) 449–454

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [10] Naito, 1970, SHASE Transactions (The Society of Heating, Air-conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Heat transfer and friction characteristics of plain fin-andtube heat exchangers, part II: Correlation · p. 2

    The use of smaller diameter tube, smaller longitudinal tube pitch, and smaller transverse tube pitch in plate fin-and-tube heat exchangers is becoming popular.

    “As pointed out by Wang et al. [1], the use of smaller diameter tube, smaller longitudinal tube pitch, and smaller transverse tube pitch in plate fin-and-tube heat exchangers are becoming popular since it could significantly improve the thermal/hydraulics characteristics and saving resources.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] C.-C. Wang, K.-Y. Chi, Heat transfer and friction characteristics of plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers, part I: new experimental data, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 43 (2000) source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given
    § Abstract · p. 1

    For practical considerations, the proposed heat transfer correlation had absorbed the contact conductance in the development of correlation.

    “For practical considerations, the proposed heat transfer correlation had absorbed the contact conductance in the development of correlation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
9 of 9

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The database containing smaller diameter tubes like 7.94, 7, and 6.35 mm tubes was not available in the development of previous correlations.

    “The database containing smaller diameter tubes like 7.94, 7, and 6.35 mm tubes was not available in the development of previous correlations.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Smaller diameter tubes are quite popular in residential application.

    “Notice that the smaller diameter tubes are quite popular in residential application.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 74 samples remaining after screening are sufficient and representative for developing a general correlation for plain fin-and-tube heat exchangers.

    “Therefore, a total of 74 samples are used for the development of correlations after screening.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most previous published correlations were based on larger diameter tubes (e.g., Do 9.52, 12.7 and 15.8 mm).

    “Unfortunately, most of the previous published correlations were based on those larger diameter tube (e.g., D o 9 : 52, 12.7 and 15.8 mm).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many investigators did not mention the details of the relationship they used.

    “Unfortunately, many of the investigators did not mention the details of the relationship they used.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The parameters C1, C2, C3, and C4 depend on the physical dimensions of the heat exchanger.

    “It is assumed that the parameters of C 1 , C 2 , C 3, and C 4 depend on the physical dimensions of the heat exchanger.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The percentage of the contact conductance is less than 7% of the airside performance.

    “it is estimated that the percentage of the contact conductance should be less than 7% of the airside performance.”
7 of 7

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Wang and Chi (2000) air-side heat transfer correlation can predict 88.6% of the test points within ±15%, with a mean deviation of 7.51%.

    “Wang and Chi (2000) correlated the air side heat transfer coefficients, U o , from a total of 74 test cores.The proposed heat transfer correlation can predict 88.6% of the test points within ± 15%, with a mean deviation of 7.51%.”

    From Studies of an air cooler under frost condition (2019) · cites this paper as Wang and Chi (2000)

    The Results and discussion (p. 7) report that the heat-transfer correlation describes 88.6% of j factors within 15%, supporting that part of the claim. They give a mean deviation of 7.53%, as do the Conclusions (p. 8), rather than the claimed 7.51%. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The experimental correlation of Wang et al. [21] considers the shape factor of the heat exchanger and applies a friction factor within the core.

    “used the experimental correlation of Wang et al. [21], which considers the shape factor of the heat exchanger and applies a friction factor within the core.”

    From Performance prediction of a fin-and-tube heat exchanger considering air-flow reduction due to the frost accumulation (2013) · cites this paper as [21]

    Results and discussion (pp. 5, 7) describes correlations based on heat-exchanger dimensions and explicitly gives a friction-factor correlation. Our copy does not identify a distinct shape factor or specify that the friction factor is applied within the core; the relevant formulas are not decoded. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Wang et al. (2000) friction factor correlation can predict 85.1% of the test cores within ±15%, with a mean deviation of 8.31%.

    “Wang et al. (2000) correlated the friction factor, f, from a total of 74 test cores.The proposed friction factor correlation can predict 85.1% of the test cores within ± 15%, with a mean deviation of 8.31%.”

    From Studies of an air cooler under frost condition (2019) · cites this paper as Wang et al. (2000)

  • The experimental correlation of Wang et al. [21] is only applicable when the space between adjacent fins is in the range 1.19-8.7 mm.

    “However, the experimental correlation of Wang et al. is only applicable when the space between adjacent fins is in the range 1.19-8.7 mm; therefore, the pressure drop from this correlation may be unreliable when the fin spacing is less than 1.19 mm.”

    From Performance prediction of a fin-and-tube heat exchanger considering air-flow reduction due to the frost accumulation (2013) · cites this paper as [21]

  • The friction factor correlation from Wang et al. (2000) is only valid for the condition without frost.

    “The above friction factor is only valid for the condition without frost.”

    From Studies of an air cooler under frost condition (2019) · cites this paper as Wang et al. (2000)

    The Results and discussion (p. 7) present a friction-factor correlation, and the Conclusions (p. 8) specify its applicable fin geometry and dimensions. Neither passage addresses frost or says the correlation is valid only without it; searches for frost and dry-surface conditions found no such statement in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.72)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Heat-transfer mean deviation differs across sections

    Minor

    The results and conclusions report a mean deviation of 7.53%, while the abstract and Table 2 report 7.51% for the same heat-transfer correlation.

  • Stated diameter range excludes listed samples

    Minor

    The stated upper diameter limit is 12.7 mm, but Table 1 includes samples with an OD of 13.335 mm.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. McQuiston, 1978, Correlation of heat, mass and momentum transport coefficients for plate-fin-tube heat transfer surface, ASHRAE Transactions, 84, 294
  2. Wang, 1997, Sensible heat transfer characteristics of plate fin-and-tube exchangers having 7-mm tubes, AIChE Symposium Series, 93, 211
  3. McQuiston, 1978, Heat, mass and momentum transfer data for five plate-fin-tube heat transfer surfaces, ASHRAE Transactions, 84, 266
  4. Y. Seshimo, M. Fujii, An experimental study of the performance of plate fin and tube heat exchangers at low Reynolds number, in: Proceeding of the 3rd ASME/JSME Thermal Engineering Joint Conference 4 (1991) 449–454
  5. Naito, 1970, SHASE Transactions (The Society of Heating, Air-conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan), 44, 1

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Wang, C.-C., Chi, K.-Y., & Chang, C.-J.
Affiliations
Industrial Technology Research Institute (TW)
Corresponding author
Wang, Chi-Chuan
ORCID
Wang, Chi-Chuan
Venue
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2000-08
Volume
43
Issue
15
Pages
2693-2700
ISSN
0017-9310 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0017-9310(99)00333-6
OpenAlex
W2015616426
Semantic Scholar
0aa711ff93305e1af408b8802496bb84270e2c13
Cited by
464
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 23
FWCI
7.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Heat Transfer and Optimization
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Heat Transfer Mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Heat Transfer and Boiling Studies
Keywords
heat transfer correlations, friction factor correlation, contact conductance, heat transfer coefficient, friction factor

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Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-21.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-21.

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