The subscripts 1 and 2, describe the two different fluids. The surface efficiency is represented by {displaystyle {eta }} {eta } employing extended surfaces. One aspect to take into consideration is that the latter equation does not include any fouling resistances due to its simplicity, which can be important. In order to enhance the performance of the heat exchanger, the term, {displaystyle {UA over L}} {displaystyle {UA over L}} must be increased. For achieving a reduced thermal resistance, the enhanced surface geometry may be used to increase one or both terms {displaystyle {hA over L}} {displaystyle {hA over L}} in relation to the plain surfaces, leading to a reduced thermal resistance per unit tube length, {displaystyle {L over UA}} {displaystyle {L over UA}}. This reduced term may be used to achieve one of the following three objectives:
1. Size reduction. maintaining the heat exchange rate {displaystyle {Q}} {displaystyle {Q}} constant, the length of the heat exchanger may be reduced, providing a heat exchanger of smaller proportions.
2. Increased {displaystyle {UA}} {displaystyle {UA}}.
Reduced {displaystyle {Delta t_{m}}} {displaystyle {Delta t_{m}}}: maintaining both {displaystyle {Q}} {displaystyle {Q}} and the length constant, {displaystyle {Delta t_{m}}} {displaystyle {Delta t_{m}}} can be reduced increasing thermodynamic process efficiency leading to reduced operation costs.
Increased heat exchange: Increasing {displaystyle {UA over L}} {displaystyle {UA over L}} and keeping a constant length will lead to an increased {displaystyle {Q}} {displaystyle {Q}} for fixed fluid inlet temperature.
3. Reduced pumping power for fixed heat duty. This will require smaller velocities of operation than the plain surface and a normally not desired, increased frontal area.
Depending on the objectives for the design, any of the three different performance improvements can be used on an enhanced surface, and using any of the three mentioned performance improvements it is fully possible to accomplish it.[1]
Internal flow[edit]
Coil spring wire insert
Twisted tape Tube Insert
Longitudinal fins
Helical ribs
There are several available options for enhancing heat transfer. The enhancement can be achieved by increasing the surface area for convection or/and increasing the convection coefficient. For example, the surface roughness can be used to increase {displaystyle {h}} {displaystyle {h}} in order to enhance turbulence. This can be achieved through machining or other kinds of insertions like coil-spring wire. The insert provides a helical roughness in contact with the surface. The convection coefficient may also be increased by an insert of a twisted tape that consists in a periodical twist through 360 degrees. Tangential inserts optimize the velocity of the flow near the tube wall, while providing a bigger heat transfer area. While, increased area and convection coefficient can be achieved by applying spiral fin or ribs inserts. Other aspects such pressure drop must be taken