Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review

Extended surface technology, as a key passive approach for enhancing heat transfer of heat exchangers, has shown significant potential in a wide range of thermal management applications. This review aims to establish a systematic framework for extended surface technology applied in heat exchangers....

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Main Authors: Zhihang Yan, Cheen Sean Oon, Boon Thong Tan, Jong Boon Ooi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025022996
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author Zhihang Yan
Cheen Sean Oon
Boon Thong Tan
Jong Boon Ooi
author_facet Zhihang Yan
Cheen Sean Oon
Boon Thong Tan
Jong Boon Ooi
author_sort Zhihang Yan
collection DOAJ
description Extended surface technology, as a key passive approach for enhancing heat transfer of heat exchangers, has shown significant potential in a wide range of thermal management applications. This review aims to establish a systematic framework for extended surface technology applied in heat exchangers. All types of heat exchangers are classified and introduced according to the structural features of the heat transfer surface. The flow and heat transfer mechanisms of extended surface technology are elaborated. Furthermore, recent advances in passive heat transfer enhancement using extended surface technologies encompassing different fin types, such as straight fins, longitudinal fins, radial fins, annular fins, helical fins, pin fins, wavy fins, offset-strip fins, and louvered fins, as well as turbulators based on extended surface technologies, including ribs, blocks, baffles, and other vortex generators are systematically examined. The influence of fundamental geometric parameters on flow and heat transfer characteristics is thoroughly evaluated. The effectiveness of various geometric optimization strategies in enhancing heat transfer performance and controlling flow resistance and pressure drop is systematically discussed, such as perforation, corrugation, segmentation, and interruption. Finally, the potential research directions in extended surface technology for future investigations are proposed.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2590-1230
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spelling doaj-art-59ee918320c44772abffdcd043de231a2025-08-20T03:41:58ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710622710.1016/j.rineng.2025.106227Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive reviewZhihang Yan0Cheen Sean Oon1Boon Thong Tan2Jong Boon Ooi3Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Net-Zero Technology, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaCorresponding author.; Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Net-Zero Technology, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Net-Zero Technology, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Net-Zero Technology, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaExtended surface technology, as a key passive approach for enhancing heat transfer of heat exchangers, has shown significant potential in a wide range of thermal management applications. This review aims to establish a systematic framework for extended surface technology applied in heat exchangers. All types of heat exchangers are classified and introduced according to the structural features of the heat transfer surface. The flow and heat transfer mechanisms of extended surface technology are elaborated. Furthermore, recent advances in passive heat transfer enhancement using extended surface technologies encompassing different fin types, such as straight fins, longitudinal fins, radial fins, annular fins, helical fins, pin fins, wavy fins, offset-strip fins, and louvered fins, as well as turbulators based on extended surface technologies, including ribs, blocks, baffles, and other vortex generators are systematically examined. The influence of fundamental geometric parameters on flow and heat transfer characteristics is thoroughly evaluated. The effectiveness of various geometric optimization strategies in enhancing heat transfer performance and controlling flow resistance and pressure drop is systematically discussed, such as perforation, corrugation, segmentation, and interruption. Finally, the potential research directions in extended surface technology for future investigations are proposed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025022996Heat exchangersHeat transfer enhancementExtended surfaceTurbulatorsGeometric optimization
spellingShingle Zhihang Yan
Cheen Sean Oon
Boon Thong Tan
Jong Boon Ooi
Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review
Results in Engineering
Heat exchangers
Heat transfer enhancement
Extended surface
Turbulators
Geometric optimization
title Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review
title_full Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review
title_fullStr Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review
title_full_unstemmed Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review
title_short Geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer: A comprehensive review
title_sort geometric design and optimization of extended surfaces for enhanced heat transfer a comprehensive review
topic Heat exchangers
Heat transfer enhancement
Extended surface
Turbulators
Geometric optimization
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025022996
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AT cheenseanoon geometricdesignandoptimizationofextendedsurfacesforenhancedheattransferacomprehensivereview
AT boonthongtan geometricdesignandoptimizationofextendedsurfacesforenhancedheattransferacomprehensivereview
AT jongboonooi geometricdesignandoptimizationofextendedsurfacesforenhancedheattransferacomprehensivereview