Pressure drop of the film-enlarged tube bundles in air-water two-phase cross flow in evaporative air cooler

An experiment was carried out to investigate the relation of the maximum velocity of air passing through narrowest passage, mass flux of spray water in one square meter in one hour and the pressure drop of tube bundles. Twelve equations were obtained for the relation. The results show that the pressure drop of the tube bundles increases with increase of the maximum velocity of air and the mass flux of spray water. Comparing the pressure drop of the bare tube bundles with that of the film-enhanced tube bundles, it is found that the pressure drop of the film-enhanced tube bundles is lower about 11% and the surface roughness of the film-enhanced plates is a main factor that influences the pressure drop. The data and method obtained in the paper can be used to compute the pressure drop of the film-enhanced tube bundles and is helpful for selection of fan.