Investigation of entropy generation in a helically coiled tube in flow boiling condition under a constant heat flux

Abstract

There are many methods to augment the heat transfer rate in flow boiling in industrial applications. The helically coiled tubes are one of the best geometries to enhance the heat transfer rate. The entropy generation analysis is an appropriate tool to evaluate the contribution of heat transfer and pressure drop mechanisms. In the present paper, the entropy generation in the helically coiled tube under flow boiling is studied. The optimum tube and coil diameters under specified conditions are found. The effect of different flow conditions such as mass velocity, inlet vapor quality, saturation temperature, and heat flux on contributions of pressure drop and heat transfer in entropy generation is discussed. The Bejan number (Be) and irreversibility distribution ratio (IDR) at different saturation temperatures versus mass velocity are plotted. The comparison between entropy generation and contributions of pressure drop and heat transfer for the helically coiled tube and the straight one is presented. The entropy generation number (Ns) for different flow conditions is plotted. The entropy generation analysis shows that there is a favorable region to use the helically coiled tube with respect to the straight one.