Abstract: For the purpose of digital design and calculation of cylindrical straight-through heat exchanger, design model based on sub-row-parameter model is established. The dichotomy iteration, based on thermodynamics and heat transfer theory, is employed. Model calculated results of cylindrical heat exchanger in different cooling conditions were compared with the experimental data of fin-tube heat exchanger. The results show that total cooling capacity of cylindrical heat exchanger is higher in standard condition. The reduction of water inlet temperature don’t have obvious impact on heat transfer while fin-tube heat exchanger will provide larger cooling capacity with the increase of air inlet temperature. The cooling capacity distribution of each row of tubes is also studied through calculation: the tubes with smaller diameter, which are closer to the air inlet, have better heat exchange performance and higher cooling capacity.

Key words: cylindrical straight-through heat exchanger; sub-row-parameter model; digital design