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ADVANCES IN
NUMERICAL HEAT TRANSFER
Volume 5
Series in Computational and Physical Processes
in Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
Series Editors
W. J. Minkowycz
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
E. M. Sparrow
Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
NUMERICAL
SIMULATION OF
HEAT EXCHANGERS
Edited by
W. J. Minkowycz
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
E. M. Sparrow
Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
J. P. Abraham
School of Engineering
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, Minnesota
J. M. Gorman
Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reasonable
efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and publisher cannot
assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or the consequences of their use. The aut-
hors and publishers have attempted to trace the copyright holders of all material reproduced in this
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are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Index....................................................................................................................... 213
v
Preface
Heat exchanger design is closely linked to the nature of the participating fluid flows.
In turn, the nature of the flow is strongly affected by the characteristics of the
fluid mover that delivers the flow. There is substantial evidence that the pressure–
flow characteristics of a fluid mover are affected by the flow resistance of the heat
exchanger, so that the manufacturer-supplied fan or blower curves are, at best,
approximate. This state of affairs serves to motivate the work reported in Chapter 1,
which advocates treating the fluid mover and the heat exchanger as a single system.
The chapter applies this approach to several real-world heat exchanger situations and
demonstrates the errors that occur when the system concept is not utilized.
In Chapter 2, various computational approaches for the analysis of transport phe-
nomena are briefly summarized and recent works are cited. Use of computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) methods for complex fluid flow and heat transfer situations are
described for important engineering applications, including plate heat exchangers,
radiators, and heat recovery units. The results reveal that the CFD approach can
reveal important physical processes as well as provide satisfactory results when
compared with corresponding experiments. Neural network configurations are intro-
duced along with a case study illustrating the validation of the network based on
experimentally measured databases for Nusselt number and friction factor for three
kinds of heat exchangers. A generic algorithm for thermal design and optimization
of a compact heat exchanger is described. This generic algorithm can provide good
auto-search and optimization capabilities in the thermal design of heat exchangers
without the use of a trial-and-error process.
Chapter 3 primarily focuses on numerical studies performed to analyze a plate
heat exchanger composed of specific types of plates and the experimental validation
of the numerical predictions. Different turbulent models, mainly k-ε, RNG k-ε,
EARSM k-ε, k-ω, and SST k-ω, are used for the simulations and validations. The
effects of several geometrical properties on exchanger performance are investigated
numerically with the help of the validated models. The geometrical parameters
include channel height, wave amplitude, and distribution channel layout. New plate
designs with improved thermal and hydraulic performance are obtained.
Chapter 4 presents a state-of-the-art overview of numerical methods for single-
phase and two-phase flows in microchannel heat exchangers. Micro heat exchangers
are characterized by at least one of the participating fluids being confined in channels
or tubes with typical dimensions of less than 1 mm. Governing equations are con-
veyed for both these types of flow, with and without phase change. Characteristics
of multiphase modeling approaches (i.e., Eulerian–Eulerian, Eulerian–Lagrangian,
and direct numerical simulation) are compared. The advantages and disadvantages
of several continuum methods for interface evolution (e.g., volume of fluid, level set,
phase field, front tracking, and moving mesh) are discussed along with the meso-
scopic lattice Boltzmann method. Methods to deal with the mass nonconservation in
the level set method are provided.
vii
viii Preface
ix
Contributors
J. P. Abraham W. J. Minkowycz
School of Engineering Department of Mechanical and
University of St. Thomas Industrial Engineering
St. Paul, Minnesota University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Selin Aradag
Department of Mechanical Engineering Ece Özkaya
TOBB University of Economics and Department of Mechanical Engineering
Technology TOBB University of Economics and
Ankara, Turkey Technology
Ankara, Turkey
Theodore L. Bergman
Department of Mechanical Engineering E. M. Sparrow
University of Kansas Department of Mechanical Engineering
Lawrence, Kansas University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Amir Faghri
Department of Mechanical Engineering Bengt Sundén
University of Connecticut Division of Heat Transfer
Storrs, Connecticut Department of Energy Sciences
Lund University
Mohammad Faghri Lund, Sweden
Mechanical, Industrial and Systems
Engineering Zan Wu
University of Rhode Island Division of Heat Transfer
Kingston, Rhode Island Department of Energy Sciences
Lund University
J. M. Gorman Lund, Sweden
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sadik Kakac
Department of Mechanical Engineering
TOBB University of Economics and
Technology
Ankara, Turkey
xi
1 Heat Exchangers and
Their Fan/Blower
Partners Modeled as a
Single Interacting System
by Numerical Simulation
E. M. Sparrow, J. M. Gorman,
J. P. Abraham, and W. J. Minkowycz
CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................2
1.2 Fan/Blower Fluid Flow Characteristics.............................................................3
1.3 Fan/Blower Curves and Application to Design................................................. 7
1.4 Fan with Rotating Blades: Array of Flat-Parallel Fins.................................... 11
1.4.1 Physical Situation................................................................................. 11
1.4.2 Governing Equations........................................................................... 13
1.4.3 Numerical Simulation Rotational Issues............................................. 14
1.4.4 Fan/Blower-Curve-Based Analysis..................................................... 15
1.4.5 Heat Transfer Results and Discussion................................................. 15
1.4.6 Fluid Flow Results and Discussion...................................................... 17
1.4.7 Retrospective View of the Flat-Fin Array Results.............................. 19
1.5 Fan with Rotating Blades: Application to a DNA Thermocycling Device........... 19
1.5.1 Physical Situation.................................................................................20
1.5.2 Governing Equations........................................................................... 21
1.5.3 Heat Transfer Results and Discussion................................................. 22
1.5.4 Fluid Flow Results and Discussion...................................................... 27
1.5.5 Retrospective View of the DNA Sampling Device Simulations......... 29
1.6 Fan with Rotating Blades: Pin-Fin Heat Sink................................................. 29
1.6.1 Physical Situation................................................................................. 29
1.6.2 Fan/Blower-Curve-Based Analysis..................................................... 31
1.6.3 Heat Transfer Results and Discussion................................................. 32
1.6.4 Fluid Flow Results and Discussion...................................................... 35
1.6.5 Retrospective View of the Pin-Fin Heat Sink Investigation................40
1
2 Numerical Simulation of Heat Exchangers
1.7 Fan with Rotating Blades: Air Blown into Pipe Inlet......................................40
1.7.1 Physical Situation and Solution Strategy.............................................40
1.7.2 Heat Transfer Results and Discussion................................................. 42
1.7.3 Fluid Flow Results and Discussion...................................................... 45
1.7.4 Retrospective View of the Investigation of Rotating Fan Flow
Delivered to a Pipe Inlet...................................................................... 47
1.8 Concluding Remarks....................................................................................... 48
References................................................................................................................. 48
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The goal of this chapter is to present evidence of the importance of taking into
account the realistic interactions between a fluid mover and the heat exchanger,
which is the recipient of the fluid flow. The underlying motivation for this work is
the development of a heat transfer design methodology that is more accurate and
more realistic than what is the present norm. In particular, it will be shown that
the design of a heat transfer device based solely on the magnitude specification of
the delivered fluid flow is insufficient because other characteristics of the flow are
neglected. Depending on the nature of the fluid mover, those characteristics may
include swirl, eddies, backflow, cross-sectional nonuniformities, and unusually high
turbulence. The result of neglecting these factors is a design that, if implemented,
may be far less efficient than what was predicted.
The foregoing discussion suggests that an improved heat-exchanger design meth-
odology should include the realities of the delivered fluid flow. To ensure that these
realities are properly characterized, the actual flow delivered by the fluid mover
must be determined. In that regard, it is tempting to use the fan/blower/pump curve
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 3
provided by the manufacturer of the fluid mover. The flaw in doing so is that such
curves are determined after all the complexities that are normally embedded in the
fan/blower output have been eliminated (i.e., the actual flow has been sanitized).
Therefore, the use of fan/blower/pump curves as input to a heat transfer analysis does
not necessarily lead to a good design.
In this presentation, a new methodology for heat exchanger design will be set
forth followed by a succession of specific problems to illustrate its use. Ample com-
parisons are included to provide an indication of the accuracy improvements that can
be achieved by the use of this methodology. The need to treat heat exchangers and
their fluid flow providers as a single system has received very little recognition in the
published literature [1–3].
(a)
(b)
FIGURE 1.2 Vector diagrams displayed on a longitudinal plane that includes the axis of
rotation: (a) normalized vectors and (b) unnormalized vectors.
the nature of the fan-produced flow are provided by vector diagrams, each of
which are displayed in a selected cross section. The considered cross sections are
x/D = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, where x is the axial coordinate originating from the
downstream face of the fan, and D is the outer diameter of the annular opening
of the fan. In each cross section, both normalized and unnormalized vectors are
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 5
Normalized Unnormalized
Normalized Unnormalized
Normalized Unnormalized
Normalized Unnormalized
has now taken hold. On the other hand, the magnitude of the in-fan and near-fan
fluid velocities has diminished slightly.
Figure 1.6, x/D = 3, shows further development and enlargement of the zone of
coherent rotation of the fluid but with decreasing magnitude of the in-fan and near-
fan fluid velocities.
The last two figures in this set, Figures 1.7 and 1.8, for x/D = 4 and 5, respec-
tively, are virtually identical to each other. The zone of coherent rotation has
stabilized, and the magnitude of the velocities appears to have reached an
asymptote.
Although Figures 1.3 through 1.8 display the metamorphosis of a complex veloc-
ity field, the true complexities really are not able to be seen by means of vector
velocity displays. For example, the fact that the flow is unsteady is not documented
in the presented figures. Of greater significance is the heightened turbulence, which
also is not seen.
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 7
Normalized Unnormalized
Normalized Unnormalized
160
140
120
Pressure rise (Pa)
100
Fan 2
80
60
40 Fan 1
20
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Volumetric flow (m3/min)
Air flow
Louvered fins
Tube
(a) (b)
FIGURE 1.10 (a) Schematic view and (b) photograph of a louvered-fin heat exchanger.
rise occurs at large flow rates for Fan 2, whereas that sharp decrease occurs for low
flow rates for Fan 1.
These fans will be used to demonstrate the relative performance of a heat
exchanger equipped with flat fins and with louvered fins [4]. In general, there
has been considerable interest in the use of louvered fins as witnessed by the
extensive published literature. For the convenience of readers, the culled litera-
ture has been organized into two categories: numerical [5–13] and experimental
[14–20]. Figure 1.10 shows both schematic and photographic views of a louvered-
fin heat exchanger. The fluid flow, pressure drop, and transfer characteristics of
this heat exchanger will be presented when either Fan 1 or Fan 2 is used to supply
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 9
the airflow. Results for this same heat exchanger, but having flat fins, will also be
presented for purposes of comparison.
There are preparatory steps that must be executed in order to enable a fan/blower
curve to be utilized. Once implemented, those steps will yield the system curve.
The system curve displays the pressure drop experienced by fluid passing through
the system as a function of the rate of fluid flow. In order to obtain a system curve,
a calculation method must be adopted. Although an estimate of the system curve
can be obtained by using literature information, it is more accurate to use numerical
simulations, as was done by Nguyen et al. [4]. Figure 1.11 shows the blower curves
already displayed in Figure 1.9 plus the corresponding system curves.
Of particular relevance is the intersection of the system curve and the fan/blower
curve. For Fan 1, the intersection in the case of the louvered fins is at a lower pressure
and a lower flow rate than is the corresponding interaction with the curve for Fan 2.
The discretization of the governing differential equations and the numerical sim-
ulations was carried out using ANSYS CFX 15.0 software. Increasing the number
of nodes from 14.7 to 19.6 million gave rise to variations of the heat transfer rate no
greater than 0.25%. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model was uti-
lized for all of the investigated cases, and duplicate laminar-flow simulations were
performed for the flat-fin case. Because the SST turbulence model reduces to lami-
nar flow in situations where the flow is truly laminar, the flat-fin results obtained by
use of the SST turbulence model and the laminar model were identical.
Table 1.1 displays the key outcomes of Nguyen et al. [4]. Listed there are the
rates of heat transfer, the pressure drops, and the Reynolds numbers. The heat trans-
fer rates correspond to a temperature difference of 30°C between the incoming air
160
Louvered fins
140
Flat fins
120
Pressure rise (Pa)
100
Fan 2
80
60
40 Fan 1
20
FIGURE 1.11 Intersections of the system curves for the louvered-fin heat exchanger and the
flat-fin heat exchanger with the fan/blower curves for Fans 1 and 2.
10 Numerical Simulation of Heat Exchangers
TABLE 1.1
Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop Results for Louvered-Fin and
Flat-Fin Heat Exchangers for Fans 1 and 2 (for a Temperature
Difference of 30°C)
Variable Fan 1 Fan 2
Flat Louvered Flat Louvered
Heat transfer per fin (W) ∆T = 30°C 0.98 0.87 1.2 0.95
Pressure drop (Pa) 65.7 91.9 108.5 111.5
Reynolds number (ρUDh/μ) 443 483 523 805
(a)
(b)
FIGURE 1.12 Flow field information for the louvered-fin situation with (a) normalized vec-
tors showing the flow direction and (b) unnormalized vectors showing the velocity magnitudes.
and the fin base. Examination of the table reveals some unexpected outcomes. For
one thing, the heat transfer rates for the so-called enhanced (louvered) surfaces are
lower than those for the un-enhanced (flat) surfaces. In particular, this diminished
heat transfer is more pronounced in the case of Fan 2 then for Fan 1. On the other
hand, the pressure drop penalty due to the louvered fins is greatest in the case of
Fan 1. The main message of Table 1.1 is that the use of enhanced surfaces does not
necessarily increase the rate of heat transfer.
It is of interest to augment the information conveyed in Table 1.1 by vector dia-
grams that convey some insights into the nature of the flow field, and Figure 1.12
has been prepared for this purpose [4]. Figure 1.12a displays normalized vectors,
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 11
Shroud
Array of
axial fans
Fins
Base
FIGURE 1.13 An array of flat, parallel fins that is shrouded above with an adiabatic surface.
FIGURE 1.14 Diagram of the solution domain used for the numerical simulations.
For the simulation model of the problem defined in Figure 1.14, coolant air is
drawn from the upstream space delineated in the figure. The coolant has a uniform
incoming temperature. The fin base also has a specified uniform temperature differ-
ent from that of the coolant. The rate of fluid flow provided by the fan is autoregulated
by the capabilities of the fan and the resistance of the fin array. Therefore, for a given
fan’s revolutions per minute (RPM), there is a unique magnitude of the fan-provided
fluid flow. That fluid flow magnitude gives rise to the turbulent regime. Because the
magnitude of the fluid flow is not known beforehand, it cannot be specified. In this
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 13
light, the boundary conditions for the velocity solution are chosen to be very weak
ones so that the flow can evolve naturally.
∂u j ∂u j ∂p ∂ ∂u
ρ + ρ ui
∂ xi
=− + (µ + µ turb ) j i = 1,2,3 and j = 1,2,3 (1.1)
∂t ∂ x j ∂ xi ∂ xi
∂ui
=0 (1.2)
∂ xi
The quantity µ turb is called the eddy viscosity. It is, in fact, a fictitious quantity
because it is not a property of the fluid. Many models have been formulated to enable
the evaluation of µ turb . In the present application, where attention has to be given
to the swirl produced by the rotating fan blades, the sought-for turbulence model
must havecredentials for being capable of dealing with the swirl. In Engdar and
Klingmann’s study [73], a number of turbulence models were evaluated with respect
to experimental data for a situation in which swirl dominated. It was found that
results predicted by the use of the SST turbulence model were in best agreement
with the experimental data. Other comparisons that have supported the use of the
SST model have been reported [74–76]. Those outcomes encouraged the use of the
SST model for the situation of interest here. There are two turbulence parameters
that are used in the SST model: the turbulence kinetic energy κ and turbulent eddy
frequency ω.
The governing differential equations for these quantities are
∂(ρκ ) ∂(ρui κ ) ∂ µ ∂κ
+ = Pκ − β1ρκω + µ + turb (1.3)
∂t ∂ xi
∂ xi σ κ ∂ xi
∂(ρω ) ∂(ρui ω ) ∂ µ ∂ω
+ = AρS 2 − β 2 eρω 2 + µ + turb
∂t ∂ xi ∂ xi σ ω ∂ xi
(1.4)
1 ∂κ ∂ω
+ 2ρ(1 − F1 )
σ ω 2 ω ∂ xi ∂ xi
14 Numerical Simulation of Heat Exchangers
Once κ and ω have been determined from the solution of the foregoing equations,
the eddy viscosity μturb is obtained from
αρκ (1.5)
µ turb =
max(αω , SF2 )
The First Law of Thermodynamics supplemented by the Fourier law of heat con-
duction is
∂T ∂( ui T ) ∂ ∂T
ρc p + ρc p = ( k + k turb ) (1.6)
∂t ∂ xi ∂ xi ∂ xi
in which the quantity kturb is used to quantify the contribution of turbulence to the
transfer of heat. This quantity, in common with μturb, is not a true property of the fluid.
To obtain numerical values for kturb, use is made of the turbulent Prandtl number Prturb.
c p µ turb
Prturb = = 0.85 (1.7)
k turb
where the numerical value 0.85 is based on comparisons of predicted heat transfer
coefficients with those of experiments conducted by Churchill [77] and Kays [78].
where the first term is the centrifugal term, and the second term represents the
Coriolis forces. In the equation, r is the position vector, and uθ,i is the rotating frame
velocity.
The energy equation is modified for rotation to become
∂I ∂( u I ) ∂ ∂T
ρ +ρ i = ( k + k turb ) (1.9)
∂t ∂ xi ∂ xi ∂ xi
ui2 ( ωR )2
I = hstatic + − (1.10)
2 2
Heat Exchangers and Their Fan/Blower Partners 15
6
Pressure (mmH2O)
5
Fan curve
4
System curve
3
FIGURE 1.15 Fan/blower curve for Sofasco Model d2510 and the system curve correspond-
ing to flow passing through a single passage of the fin array.
16 Numerical Simulation of Heat Exchangers
TABLE 1.2
Overall Heat Transfer Results for the Entire Fin Array Contrasting
Rotating-Fan–Delivered Air with Uniform Blower-Curve–Based Delivered
Airflow: (Tbase – Tair,in) = 25°C
Heat Transfer (W)
Rotating fan, aluminum fins Blower curve, aluminum fins Blower curve, isothermal fins
4.98 9.59 15.1
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
Qfin, i /Qfin, ave
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Fin number
FIGURE 1.16 Ratio of the per-fin heat transfer rates to the average per-fin heat transfer rate.
The comparison between the rotating fan and fan/blower curve models reveals that
the latter drastically overestimates the rate of heat transfer, with the outcome
The size of this ratio needs explanation. It is believed that the relatively low value
of Q for the rotating fan case can be attributed to the very high pressure drop and
correspondingly diminished flow rate for that case.
Further study of Table 1.2 shows that the use of perfectly conducting fins does
have a significant effect on the rate of heat transfer. In particular, the table shows that
the isothermal fins transfer about 60% more heat than do aluminum fins.
Next, focus is shifted to per-fin heat transfer results, and this information is con-
veyed in Figure 1.16. This figure shows a bar graph in which each bar corresponds
to a specific fin. The height of each bar displays the ratio of the heat transfer rate at
the fin in question compared with the heat transfer rate averaged over all the fins.
It should be noted that the outboard fins (1 and 26) are adiabatic at their outfacing
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A Sanitary Drinking Tube
A very handy device for cleaning combs can be made from a piece
of spring sheet brass, 4¹⁄₂ in. long and about 3 in. wide. Notches are
cut in the ends of the brass with a hacksaw, making the projections
as wide as the saw cut. The brass is then bent into shape with a
special clamp made for the purpose, which consists of three pieces
of wood, two being cut to form a curved slot, then fastened to the
third piece. The brass is sprung into the slot, and then fine wire is
stretched between the ends in the notches. The wire should be very
fine and two strands twisted together and run through the notches.
Concealing the House Key
The time-honored custom of concealing the house key under the
door mat, or in the letter box, when the family has not enough keys
to go around, is so well known that an unauthorized person seeking
to enter the house would look in these places first of all.
A simple and effective hiding place for the key can be quickly and
easily made with the aid of an auger and two pieces of tin. Pick out
an obscure section of the porch railing, and in the edge of this bore a
³⁄₄-in. hole, about ¹⁄₄ in. deeper than the length of the key. Make a
piece of tin into a cylinder, the same length as the key, so that the
latter will slide easily into the hole. At one end of this cylinder solder
a 1-in. disk of tin, which will make it appear as in the illustration.
If the key is placed in the cylinder and the latter pushed into the
hole until it is flush with the surface, it will scarcely be noticed by
anyone not in the secret, and by painting it the same color as the
railing it will become still more inconspicuous.—Contributed by Frank
L. Matter, Portland, Ore.
A Mysterious Watch
There are many enjoyable phases of the fisher’s art, but bait casting
from the free reel probably has a wider appeal than any other
branch of angling. The pleasure of handling a short bait-casting rod
is in itself a good sport, even when casting done in the back yard is
made for distance and accuracy only. Get two or three enthusiastic
casters together, and you may have an interesting little tournament,
held on a vacant lot, on the lake, or on the greensward of a city park.
There is plenty of action in casting from the reel, and it is its variety
that has made angling of this type so universally popular. True,
considerable practice is required before the caster is able to shoot
an accurate plug far off, but the knack may be gained after
reasonable application. The handling of the short rod differs from all
other angling methods—it is an active sport rather than a
contemplative recreation—and when the fun of handling a good outfit
is combined with the sport of coaxing out a black bass, shooting a
wooden minnow among the lily pads for pickerel, or casting the bait
for those pirates of our fresh-water lakes, the wall-eyed pike and the
muskellunge, the angler gets a taste of fishing—plus.
A Serviceable Reel Costing $4, a High-Grade Reel Costing $13.50, and a Fine
Tournament Casting Reel Costing $26, are Shown from Left to Right. The
Center One Has a Level-Winding Device and a Thumb-Click Drag on the
Rims of the Plates. The Tournament Casting Reel Has a Cork Arbor and
Jeweled Bearings
The steel casting rod is well liked by some casters, but only a
high-quality steel rod is worthy of consideration. It is generally not
classed as the equal of a well-made solid-wood or split-bamboo rod,
for casting. The better-grade steel rod is springy and flexible, and for
this reason is a good rod for casting for black bass. Still, most
anglers have a steel rod in their outfits, but it is not as generally used
at tournaments as the time-tried wooden rod.
The guide is an important detail of a casting rod. Inexpensive rods
are usually provided with large metal guides, while the better rods
are fitted with agate guides, or with agate tip and hand guides. A
guide, ¹⁄₂ in. in diameter, at the butt of the rod is large enough and
will handle the line smoothly.
The single grip is sometimes preferred by casters, but the
additional grip placed above the reel is desirable if much fishing is
done. Solid-cork hand grasps are most satisfactory, being less
slippery when wet and less tiring to the hand than handles made of
other materials. If the lower grip is properly shaped with a forward
edge, the forefinger will find a firm grip upon it, and the finger hook
will not be needed. However, some anglers prefer to use the hook,
and if the rod is not so fitted, a detachable hook may be fastened to
it. A reel band that locks securely is desirable, and all the better
grades of casting rods are so fitted.
The quadruple reel is the logical choice of the bait caster, the
spool turning four times to one turn of the handle. As the work
demanded of a bait-casting reel is different and more exacting than
that of the click reel used in fly casting, its design is radically
different. The best type of click reel is of large spool diameter and
narrow between plates, while the typical casting reel is its direct
opposite—being long-barreled, with plates of comparatively small
diameter. For tournament casting the finest outfit will naturally be
selected, but for practical work it is unnecessary to pay $25 for a
finely wrought reel. Three typical reels are shown in the illustration.
The one at the left holds 80 yd. of line, can be easily taken apart for
cleaning, and costs $4. In the center is a level-winding reel with
thumb click and adjustable drag placed on the rims of the plates. It
holds 60 yd. of line, and costs $13.50. At the right is a very high-
grade reel for tournament casting. It has a cork arbor, jeweled
bearings holds 60 yd. of line, and costs $26.
Any of the better grades of braided silk are suitable for the bait-
casting line. The average price for a dependable line is about $1 for
50 yd. A small size line is best, and sizes G and E are preferred. A
brown and green, or other dark-colored, line is preferable for fishing.
The black and white, all white and other light-colored, lines are
satisfactory for tournament use. After a day’s fishing the line should
be unreeled and looped around the back of a chair in loose coils to
dry, or loosely wound upon a drying reel.
For practice and tournament casting one of the standard ¹⁄₄ and
¹⁄₂-oz. loaded wooden or metal plugs may be used. The popularity of
bait casting from the reel has brought forth a large variety of artificial
baits. These wooden and enameled lures are used by anglers
because they bring the catches.
The wooden minnows, and other forms of artificial bait, may be
roughly classed in three divisions: the surface lures for use on top of
the water; the diving and under-water baits; and the weedless
varieties, which are usually of the surface type. No bait caster’s outfit
is complete unless it includes one bait of each class, and to meet
fully the different and varying conditions of weather, season, and
water, it is a good plan to select one of each type in light and
medium-dark colors. A variety of typical baits are shown in the page
plate at A, B, C, etc. Many of the baits are provided with one or more
eyes for attaching the line, thus enabling the caster to spin his bait at
different depths. All of the wooden-body baits will float, and only dive
under the surface when reeled in; the quicker they are retrieved the
deeper they spin. While many of these baits have been designed
especially to entice the black bass, practically all of them are good
for pickerel and general fresh-water casting, particularly the minnow
baits.
The other items which complete the bait caster’s outfit are the
landing net and tackle box. The net should be well made, with a steel
hoop 13 in. or larger in diameter, and should have a handle about 3
ft. long. The folding type of net is the most convenient, and is
provided with a separate handle. The tackle box may be of sheet
metal or leather, with partitions for holding reels, baits, and the
angling “what not.” A convenient and serviceable landing net costs
$1 or more, and a tackle box will cost about as much.
Although much practice is required before the caster can take his
place in a tournament, “getting the hang” of handling the short rod
and free-running reel comes quickly. As soon as the simple
principles are understood, length and accuracy will come only
through practice. Bait casting is easier than fly casting and the angler
need concern himself only with the length and accuracy of his cast,
since delicacy does not enter into this phase of fishing. The coarser
sweet-water fish, like black bass and pickerel, are not frightened
when the bait hits the water with a splash—indeed, the splash of the
bait attracts them.
Two methods of casts are used by bait casters, the overhead and
the underhand or side cast. The overhead cast is used largely by the
practical angler, as well as by those who take part in tournament
contests, because the bait is projected a longer distance and may be
more accurately placed. If the novice will thumb the line, as shown in
Fig. 1, with thumb bearing directly on the cross rod of the reel with
the ball of the thumb resting lightly on the line, one or two trials will
show the correct manner of spooling. The line is retrieved as shown
in Fig. 2, care being taken to form correct habits from the start. To
make the cast, reel in the bait until it is some 6 in. from the tip,
release the click or drag, and press the ball of the thumb firmly upon
the spooled line. Carry the rod over the shoulder until it is horizontal
or nearly so, as in Fig. 3, and then bring it smartly forward, checking
it quickly when it reaches an angle of some 45°, as shown in Fig. 4.
This projects the bait forward in a straight line. When the rod is
brought forward the tension of the thumb on the spool is released so
that the spool will revolve freely, but enough pressure must be
communicated by the thumb to prevent the reel from spinning faster
than the line is unreeled from the spool, otherwise backlash will
occur. The use of the whole arm and the weight of the body,
combined with the elasticity of the pliant rod, enables the caster to
cover a surprisingly long distance after a little practice. A distance of
150 ft. is not difficult to attain, but for fishing, a well-placed cast of 60
or 75 ft. is long enough to reach promising stretches of water.
The Method of Thumbing the
A Line is Shown in Figure 1, and
the Correct form in Retrieving
the Line, in Figure 2. The
Overhead Cast is Illustrated in
Fig. 3 Figures 3 and 4, and the
B Underhand or Side Cast in
Figures 5 and 6
C
D
Fig. 4 Fig. 1
E
Fig. 2 Fig. 5
F
Typical Baits:
A, Under-Water Minnow; G
B, Wabbler Spoon;
C, Bass;
D, Fluted Wabbler;
E, Weedless; H Fig. 6
F, Diving;
G, Combination Color, Taste,
and Smell;
H, Spoon and Minnow Bass; I
I, Surface