Based on the analysis of experimental data the universal methods of calculating convective heat transfer of smooth and finned tube bundles in the crossflow have been developed over the ranges of geometric characteristics covering all practical needs at the Reynolds number Re = 3 x 10(3) ... 1 x 10(5). The distinctive feature of the methods proposed is that the generalized similarity equation of convective heat transfer takes into account the dependence of the Reynolds number exponent on tube pitch characteristics in a bundle. This has allowed the mechanism of heat transfer and hydraulic performance in tube bundles to be taken into utmost consideration and the asymptotic character to be given to the generalized dependence. In turn, this has permitted one to show the presence of maximum of heat transfer intensity and also to cover limiting combinations of pitches, at which differences in staggered and in-line arrangements of tubes are leveled, i.e., practically the restrictions on the ranges of tube pitch characteristics of bundles can be removed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.