Oval Fin Tubes

Oval Fin Tubes

Efficient Oval Finned Tubing For Compact Thermal Solutions

Oval fin tubes enhance heat transfer efficiency in compact heat exchangers with reduced air-side resistance.

Oval Fin Tubes Heat Exchanger Fins Finned Oval Tubes Thermal Transfer Tubes +2 More

Oval Fin Tubes

Efficient Oval Finned Tubing For Compact Thermal Solutions

Oval fin tubes enhance heat transfer efficiency in compact heat exchangers with reduced air-side resistance. ideal for petrochemical and oil refining, they offer superior corrosion resistance and space-saving designs for air-cooled systems.

Oval Fin Tubes Heat Exchanger Fins Finned Oval Tubes Thermal Transfer Tubes +2 More

Oval Fin Tubes, also known as oval finned tubes or finned oval tubes, are specialized heat exchanger fins featuring an oval-shaped base tube with external rectangular or spiral fins to maximize thermal transfer. These thermal transfer tubes are engineered for high-efficiency heat exchange in industries like petrochemical, oil refining, ethylene production, and power generation. Conforming to standards such as ASTM A179, A213, and TEMA, oval fin tubes outperform traditional round finned tubes by reducing air-side flow resistance and enabling compact layouts, making them ideal for air cooled exchangers and space-constrained applications.

The unique oval geometry of the base tube minimizes the wake region and windward area compared to circular tubes, effectively lowering pressure drop and energy consumption while increasing the heat transfer coefficient between fluids. Oval Fin Tubes are manufactured by spirally wrapping aluminum, copper, or steel fin strips around the oval base tube, often using tension winding or high-frequency welding for a secure bond. Available in variants like oval rectangular finned tubes, oval-oval finned tubes, oval circular finned tubes, and spiral oval flat tubes, they support fin heights of 8-15mm, fin pitches of 3.5-10mm, and base tube dimensions from 15.88mm to 51mm outer diameter. Custom lengths up to 15 meters and hot-dip galvanization enhance corrosion resistance, ensuring durability in harsh environments like seawater or acidic gases.

Oval Fin Tubes undergo rigorous quality testing, including hydrostatic, eddy current, flaring, and thermal performance evaluations, to meet ASTM A450/A450M and TEMA standards. Their design promotes turbulent airflow, boosting heat transfer efficiency by up to 19% and reducing overall heat exchanger volume by 32% compared to round tubes. The oval shape allows for denser tube arrangements, saving space and material costs without compromising performance. In applications like waste heat recovery, boiler economizers, and compressor coolers, these tubes handle temperatures up to 260°C and pressures up to 10 MPa, with excellent resistance to fouling and vibration.

Compared to round finned tubes, finned oval tubes exhibit smaller reflux and windward areas, leading to lower air-side resistance and higher fluid-side heat transfer. This makes them particularly advantageous in compact heat exchangers for oil refineries and petrochemical plants, where space efficiency and energy savings are critical. Optional features like serrated or perforated fins further optimize performance by disrupting laminar flow and enhancing volumetric heat flux density. Surface protections such as 3LPE coatings or galvanization provide robust corrosion resistance, extending service life in corrosive media.

In practical use, oval fin tubes address key challenges like high energy consumption and large footprints in traditional heat exchangers. Their superior thermal performance and compact design make them a go-to solution for engineers seeking reliable thermal transfer tubes in demanding industrial settings. Whether in air-cooled condensers or refrigeration systems, these tubes deliver unmatched efficiency, durability, and cost savings, supporting sustainable operations in petrochemical, power, and HVAC applications.

Oval finned tubes cross section

Oval finned tubes cross section

What is an Oval Finned Tube?

The oval finned tube is a type of heat exchanger that consists of an oval base tube and outer rectangular fins.

  • Compact Layout: Reduces the overall volume and footprint of the heat exchanger.
  • Low Air Side Resistance: Enhances the heat transfer coefficient between fluids, increasing efficiency.
  • Larger Heat Transfer Area: Provides a larger heat transfer perimeter compared to circular tubes, improving efficiency.
  • High Strength and Durability: Rectangular steel fins offer strength and long service life, preventing freezing and cracking in winter.
  • Optimized Flow Resistance: Compact arrangement reduces outer flow resistance, effectively managing air flow.

FAQs

Engineered to meet diverse industrial needs with robust materials and versatile designs.

Oval Fin Tubes are finned oval tubes with an oval base and rectangular fins, designed for efficient thermal transfer in heat exchanger fins.

Used in petrochemical, oil refining, ethylene production, and air cooled exchangers for compact heat transfer.

Carbon steel (ASTM A179), stainless steel (TP304), aluminum, or copper with galvanization for corrosion resistance.

Oval shape reduces air-side resistance, increases heat transfer by 19%, and cuts volume by 32% for compact designs.

Base tube OD: 15.88-51mm, fin height: 8-15mm, fin pitch: 3.5-10mm, lengths up to 15m.

Spiral wrapping of fin strips on oval base tubes, often with tension winding or welding for secure attachment.

Hydrostatic, eddy current, flaring, and thermal performance tests for ASTM and TEMA compliance.

Welded or expanded into tube sheets in heat exchanger fins, optimized for dense, compact arrangements.

Hot-dip galvanization fills gaps between fins and tube, providing excellent corrosion resistance in harsh environments.

Oval Fin Tubes and elliptical designs are similar, both reducing resistance and volume, but oval rectangular fins offer better compactness for specific layouts.
Fin tube material

Material

We offer you a broad portfolio of materials and can expand our offerings at any time to meet your specific needs regarding thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, or corrosion resistance.

For Aluminum L-Foot finned tubes, the fin material is aluminum, either 1100-0. The tube material is generally carbon steel, stainless steel, or brass; however the tube can be of any material.

For Welded Helical Solid and Welded Helical Serrated finned tubes, the fin and tube materials can be any combination that can be welded together using HIGH FREQUENCY WELDING process.

The materials chosen for a given application are a function of service temperature, corrosive environment, and/or erosive environment. Common tube materials used for our welded product lines include: carbon steel, carbon moly, chrome moly, stainless steel, Inconel, and Incoloy. Common fin materials include: carbon steel; stainless steels of types 304, 310, 316, 321, 409, and 410; Nickel 200, and Inconel.

Carbon steel fins are available on carbon, stainless steel, or copper tube. Please call for a specific size if not listed

We offer you a broad portfolio of materials and can expand our offering at any time to meet your specific needs regarding thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, or corrosion resistance.

  • Base tube: Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Copper, Cupro Nickel, Aluminium, Alloy Steel
  • Fin: Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Copper, Aluminium
  • Rings: Carbon steel, Aluminium, Hot dip galvanizing
Tube Materials and Corresponding Grades
Material Grade
Carbon Steel Tubes A179, A192, SA210 Gr A1/C, A106 Gr B, A333 Gr3/Gr6/Gr8, A334 Gr3/Gr6/Gr8, 09CrCuSb, DIN 17175 St35.8/St45.8, EN 10216 P195/P235/P265, GB/T3087 Gr10/Gr20, GB/T5310 20G/20MnG
Alloy Steel Tubes A209 T1/T1a, A213 T2/T5/T9/T11/T12/T22/T91, A335 P2/P5/P9/P11/P12/P22/P91, EN 10216-2 13CrMo4-5/10CrMo9-10/15NiCuMoNb5-6-4
Stainless Steel Tubes TP304/304L, TP316/TP316L, TP310/310S, TP347/TP347H
Copper Tubes UNS12200/UNS14200/UNS70600, CuNi70/30, CuNi 90/10
Titanium Tubes B338 Gr 2

Classification of Finned Tubes

Finned tubes are available in many types and configurations. Below is a detailed classification based on fabrication process, fin geometry, material, and applications.

  • Rolling forming finned tubes (Extruded fin tubes)
  • Welded finned tubes (High-frequency welded, Submerged arc welded)
  • Roll forming finned tubes
  • Set forming finned tubes
  • Casting finned tubes
  • Tension wound finned tubes
  • Inserted finned tubes

  • Square fin tube
  • Round fin tube
  • Spiral fin tube
  • Vertical fin tube (Longitudinal finned tube)
  • Corrugated fin tube
  • Serrated spiral fin tube (Helical serrated)
  • Needle finned tube
  • Plate-fin tube
  • Inner finned tube

  • Single-metal finned tubes: Copper, Aluminum, Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Cast iron/steel
  • Bi-metal composite finned tubes: Base tube with dissimilar fin material

  • Air conditioning finned tubes
  • Air-cooled heat exchanger finned tubes
  • Boiler finned tubes (economizer, water wall, air preheater)
  • Industrial waste heat recovery finned tubes
  • Special-purpose finned tubes
Material certificates with full testing can be provided in compliance with EN10204 3.1 standard.
Fin Tube Application
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