A performance simulation model of a cylindrical fin-and-tube heat exchanger is established based on a sub-row-parameter model. The model can calculate the heat transfer performance of a heat exchanger based on thermodynamics equations and heat transfer theory. The calculated results of the model

which were verified by experimental data

show that the mean relative deviations of the heat exchange and outlet dry-bulb temperature were 6.31% and 0.61%

respectively

which represent the largest and lowest mean relative deviations. The calculated results agreed well with the experimental data. The performance simulation model was adopted to calculate the performance of the heat exchanger under different cooling conditions. The effects of air volume

water mass flow rate

air inlet dry-bulb temperature

and water inlet temperature on heat transfer performance were investigated. The results of the analysis under variable conditions not only predicted heat transfer performance in off-design conditions but also provided a basis for adjusting the operating conditions of the heat exchanger.