When is it suitable to use an elliptical flat tube

Source：m.brill-sh.com.cn Release date： 2025-09-22

Information summary：The elliptical flat tube combines the streamlined characteristics of the elliptical tube with the advantages of the flat structure of the flat tube. The core adaptation logic of its application scenario is to optimize space utilization, improve fluid/heat conduction efficiency, and balance mechanical performance with installation requirements. The following provides a detailed explanation of the s

The elliptical flat tube combines the streamlined characteristics of the elliptical tube with the advantages of the flat structure of the flat tube. The core adaptation logic of its application scenario is to optimize space utilization, improve fluid/heat conduction efficiency, and balance mechanical performance with installation requirements. The following provides a detailed explanation of the suitable use of elliptical flat tubes from a specific scenario dimension:
1、 Heat exchange equipment: the core scenario of pursuing "efficient heat exchange+compact layout"
Heat exchange is one of the core application areas of elliptical flat tubes, especially suitable for scenarios with dual requirements for "heat transfer efficiency" and "equipment volume", such as:
1. Air conditioning/refrigeration system (evaporator, condenser)
Traditional circular tubes in heat exchangers have many gaps between tubes and between tubes and fins, resulting in wasted space and high airflow resistance. The flattened structure of the elliptical flat tube allows for a tighter arrangement of the tube body, which can accommodate more heat exchange tubes per unit volume. At the same time, its streamlined outer wall can reduce airflow impact resistance (reducing wind resistance noise); In addition, the contact area between the flat tube and the fins is larger (compared to the circular tube, the "flat contact" of the flat tube can improve the heat transfer efficiency of the fins by about 15% -20%), which is particularly suitable for "small volume+high heat transfer demand" equipment such as household air conditioners, automotive air conditioners, and commercial chillers.
2. Automotive cooling system (water tank, intercooler)
The engine compartment space of a car is extremely compact, and the flattened design of the elliptical flat tube can significantly reduce the thickness of the cooler (for example, the thickness of the traditional circular tube water tank may need to be 80mm, and the elliptical flat tube can be compressed to within 50mm), while meeting the heat dissipation needs of the engine during high-power operation - the streamlined outer wall can also reduce turbulent losses during coolant flow and improve cooling cycle efficiency. Currently, the cooling modules of mainstream new energy vehicles and fuel vehicles have been widely adopted.
3. Industrial waste heat recovery equipment
For waste heat recovery heat exchangers in industries such as steel and chemical, elliptical flat tubes can increase the heat transfer area through dense arrangement in limited equipment space, while also dealing with the impact of high-temperature flue gas/fluid (flat tubes have better bending and vibration resistance than circular tubes of the same material), reducing the risk of deformation during long-term use.
2、 Structural Support Scenario: Special Requirements for "Lightweight+Load Resistance"
The mechanical properties of elliptical flat tubes, such as bending strength and torsional stiffness, are superior to circular tubes or ordinary flat tubes with the same cross-sectional area, and they are lighter in weight, making them suitable for the following structural support scenarios:
1. Automotive/Rail Transit Structural Components
The flattened side of elliptical flat tubes, such as the lateral stabilizer bar of car chassis and the body support beam of rail transit vehicles, can better fit the body/chassis (reducing connection gaps). At the same time, their sectional moment of inertia is higher than that of circular tubes of the same weight, which can withstand greater lateral loads (such as centrifugal force during turning and bumpy impact during driving), and the lightweight characteristics can reduce the overall energy consumption of the vehicle.
2. Building decoration and lightweight support
The glass curtain wall support keel in modern architecture and the suspended bracket for interior decoration - elliptical flat tube, compared to square flat tube, has no sharp edges (higher safety and smoother visual experience). Compared to circular tube, it can be more tightly attached to glass/sheet (reducing the number of fixed parts). At the same time, when the span is small (such as within 3 meters), it can meet the load requirements of decorative support (such as glass weight and wind load), and is lightweight and easy to install.
3、 Fluid transportation scenario: adapted to the transportation needs of "small space+low resistance"
When fluid (liquid, gas) transportation pipelines need to be arranged in narrow spaces and flow resistance needs to be reduced, elliptical flat pipes are a good choice. Typical scenarios include:
1. Internal fluid pipelines of household appliances
For example, the inlet/outlet pipes of washing machines and the hot water circulation pipes of wall mounted boilers are densely packed with internal components of household appliances (such as a gap of only 5-10cm between the inner cylinder and the outer shell of a washing machine). The flattening of the elliptical flat tube can be arranged to fit the inner wall of the equipment (avoiding occupying core space), and its inner wall flow pattern design can reduce water turbulence (reducing noise, such as the sound of water flow when washing machines drain), and its anti clogging ability is better than that of circular tubes of the same diameter (the inner wall of flat tubes is less likely to accumulate impurities).
2. Micro pipelines for aerospace/precision equipment
Such scenarios as micro oil pipelines in aircraft hydraulic systems and fluid delivery pipelines in medical equipment (such as hemodialysis machines) require high "spatial adaptability" of pipelines (such as aircraft hydraulic system pipelines passing through narrow gaps in the fuselage skeleton). Elliptical flat pipes can adapt to extremely small installation spaces through flat design, and their high-strength characteristics (such as using aluminum alloy and titanium alloy materials) can withstand high pressures (such as 30-50MPa pressure in hydraulic systems), and the inner wall smoothness is high (to avoid fluid residue, suitable for medical scenarios).
4、 Special appearance and functional requirements: balancing "form adaptation+additional functions"
Some scenarios have special requirements for the "appearance" or "additional functions" of pipelines, and the structural advantages of elliptical flat pipes can be correctly matched:
1. Decorative fluid/gas pipelines
The streamlined appearance of elliptical flat pipes, such as the exposed ducts of fresh air systems in shopping malls and hotels, and the exposed smoke pipes of gas wall mounted boilers in homes, is more design oriented than circular and square pipes (can integrate modern minimalist styles), and the flat structure can be installed close to walls/ceilings (reducing visual abruptness), while meeting the functional requirements of ventilation and smoke exhaust.
2. Heat dissipation type pipeline (no additional heat sink required)
For small devices such as routers and projectors, the flattened outer wall of the elliptical flat tube can naturally increase the contact area with air (compared to circular tubes, the heat dissipation area is increased by about 20% -30%). Without the need for additional heat sinks, auxiliary heat dissipation can be achieved through its own structure, which is suitable for small electronic devices that are sensitive to volume and cost.

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