Finned tubes are used in heat exchangers where the heat transfer coefficient is much higher on one side of the heat exchanger than the other. For general industry, these applications typically involve the heating or cooling of air or other gases.
The application of fins increases the heat transfer surface area in contact with the fluid with lower heat transfer coefficient.
Common Types of Finned Tube Heat Exchangers
There are several different fin types that are best suited for specific conditions and applications.
Click Here for a description of common fin types.
Click Here for a comparison of common fin types.