Numerical study of performance augmentation of a vertical coil and shell heat exchanger using high frequency ultrasonic waves

Abstract

This research focuses on the performance augmentation of a coil and shell heat exchanger using high frequency ultrasonic waves by the commercial computational fluid dynamics program FLUENT. The model was validated both heat transfer and ultrasound propagation with the results from other researchers. Then, the simulation of the flow and heat transfer enhancement in the heat exchanger under 1.7 MHz ultrasound. Four ultrasonic transducers were installed at the corners of the shell at the middle height of the coil. The ultrasound from transducers was emitted to induce the vortex flow in the shell with the angle of 0, 15, and 30 degrees with the horizontal line. The results show that the high frequency ultrasound is applicable for heat transfer enhancement of a shell and coil heat exchanger. Therefore, the obtained results can be used to innovate an ultrasonic coil and shell heat exchanger in the future.