Three-dimensional numerical computation of flow and heat transfer in rectangular channel with staggered arrays of droplet-type pin fins is conducted to investigate the effects of the shape of pin fins on flow and heat transfer characteristics.As a conventional enhanced heat transfer method

the rectangular channel with staggered arrays of column-type pin fins with the same cross-areas to droplet-type pin fins is also considered.Both type pin fins have the same cross-areas.The velocity fields

pressure fields in the channel and local convective heat transfer coefficients on the wall are obtained.The results indicate that in the present research range of Re number and constructional parameters

the enhanced heat transfer capability of droplet-type pin fins about 15% less than that of the conventional column-type pin fins

and the pressure drop of droplet-type pin fins is only about 50% of the conventional column-type pin fins.