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The simulation of heat exchanger air flow characteristics using Computational Fluid Dynamics requires knowledge of the experimental pressure drop across the element concerned. This is normally achieved through wind tunnel testing of either full scale heat exchangers or by using laminations of various porous materials and honeycombs to represent these. The current paper both continues and compliments prior work published by the lead author, which entailed a series of measurements of the pressure drop in both the near and far field, across screens with porosity (β) in the range 0.41 < β < 0.76. This experimental investigation established a relationship between the porosity and the pressure drop characteristics of a given material at various angles of inclination to the free-stream flow. In addition, the effect of screen depth was investigated using honeycombs.

The simulation of heat exchanger air flow characteristics in a sub-scale wind tunnel test requires an accurate representation of the full-scale pressure drop across the element. In practice this is normally achieved using laminations of various porous materials and honeycombs on the basis of experience and ad hoc data. In view of this, a series of measurements of the pressure drop, in both the near and far field, across screens with porosity (β) in the range 0.41 ≺ β ≺ 0.76 are reported. The aim being to establish a relationship between the porosity and the pressure drop characteristics of a given material at various angles of inclination to the free-stream flow. Furthermore, the effect of screen depth was investigated using honeycombs. This data will facilitate detailed design and accurate representation of the flow characteristics at sub scale.