Finned Tubes

Application:   

The L fin design is for design temperatures less than 300 degrees Fahrenheit.  This fin offers a certain degree of atmospheric protection of the tube wall against corrosion. The broad contact surface between the tube and the finning enhances heat trasnfer.  This fin design is the most economical.

The overlapped L fin design is for customers who want an increased level of tube coverage.  The foot of the L fin is simply overlapped onto the previous L foot.  This results in a slightly higher level of tube corrosion protection and allowable design temperature.

Fabrication:

This fin is created by forming an aluminum strip into an L-shape which is then tension wound around the primary tube.  Each L section is positioned against each other to ensure complete tube coverage.  Also this manufacturing technology allows the use of relatively thin walled tubes. 

Application:   

Fabrication:   

The aluminum strip is tension-wound and placed into a toleranced groove cut into the tube, then held in place by the tube material displaced on both sides.

Extruded Fin

Application:

Typically extruded fins are used in corrosive atmospheric conditions, such as off-shore applications, or at operating temperatures less than 550 degrees Fahrenheit.  This fin design is the least economical as compared to the other fin types, primarily due to the increased amount of aluminum used (~40%) and the increased labor required to manufacture.  However this increased cost can be offset if a lower grade parent tube material is used.

Fabrication:   

The extruded fin is manufactured by compressing an aluminum bloom, or sleeve, onto the parent tube.  The bloom is exposed to extremely high pressures which essentially "grows" the fins into the final fin profile.The process produces an extremely strong joint with excellent heat transfer capabilities.