Experimental investigation of convective heat transfer and pressure drop of SiC/water nanofluid in a shell and tube heat exchanger

Abstract

In this study, the heat transfer enhancement due to using Silicon Carbide nanofluid flowing through the tube side in a shell and tube heat exchanger is studied. Nano-fluid concentrations are 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 Vol.%, respectively. The hot water is passed through the shell side at temperatures of 35, 45 and 55 °C. The flow rate of nanofluid is adjusted at 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 (L/h), while, the hot water flow rate of the outer tube is 180(L/h). The results show that heat transfer and pressure drop increase with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles and mass flow rate. 19.8% increase in heat transfer is observed due to adding nanoparticles.