Entransy dissipation minimization for optimization of heat exchanger design

Abstract

In this paper, by taking the water-water balanced counterflow heat exchanger as an example, the entransy dissipation theory is applied to optimizing the design of heat exchangers. Under certain conditions, the optimal duct aspect ratio is determined analytically. When the heat transfer area or the duct volume is fixed, analytical expressions of the optimal mass velocity and the minimal entransy dissipation rate are obtained. These results show that to reduce the irreversible dissipation in heat exchangers, the heat exchange area should be enlarged as much as possible, while the mass velocity should be reduced as low as possible.