Lowfin tubes

For banks of lowfin tubes, the mass velocity is lower because of the greater flow area afforded by the fins. The equations above for tube bundles can be used for lowfin tubes with the following adjustments ... 

Lowfin Tubes - For lowfin tubes, the laminar condensing coefficient can be calculated by applying an appropriate correction factor, F, to the value calculated using Equation 7.30 above. The factor F is defined below ... 

Better heat transfer is obtained at high condensate loading. Vertical condensers are generally more economical than horizontal shellside condensers employing lowfinned tubes. 

Lowfinned tubing is formed by extruding fins from the base metal. The fin diameter is maintained the same as the outside diameter of the tube ends, which are standard tube sizes. This type of tubing can, therefore, be used interchangeably with bare tubes of the same diameter and is readily incorporated into shell-and-tube equipment. Area ratios are in the range of 2.5 to 5. 

Lowfinned tubing is often used when fouling is expected. Lowfinned tubes often are more easily cleaned than plain tubes. 

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