Enhancing heat transfer efficiency in shell-and-tube heat exchangers with SiC and CNT-infused alkaline water nanofluids

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to experimentally analyze the operational efficiency of a shell and tube heat exchanger using nanofluids containing Silicon Carbide nanoparticles and alkaline water (SiC-AW), as well as Carbon Nanotubes and alkaline water (CNT-AW). The nanofluids, composed of SiC-AW and CNT-AW nanoparticles, were synthesized without any surface modification. The study encompassed analyses to assess the influence of varying volume concentrations of nanoparticles on critical parameters such as thermal conductivity, viscosity, heat transfer coefficient, friction factor, Nusselt number, and pressure drop.The distinctive intrinsic properties of the nanoparticles led to the observation that introducing SiC and CNT nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.1 wt percent resulted in a 29% and 39% increase in the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids, respectively, as demonstrated by the experimental findings. Moreover, the friction factor demonstrated an increase due to simultaneous elevations in both the viscosity and density of the nanofluids. Furthermore, upon comparing SiC nanofluid with CNT nanofluid, it was noted that the latter exhibited a notably reduced pressure drop. This phenomenon may be attributed to the enhancement of the thermophysical properties of the nanofluid.