Performance Analysis of Shell and Tube Type Heat Exchanger Using Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) Nano-Particle

Abstract

Abstract: Research in convective heat transfer using suspensions of nanometer sized solid particles in a base fluid started only over the past decade. Recent investigations on nanofluids, as such suspensions are often called, indicate that the suspended nanoparticles markedly change the transport properties and heat transfer characteristics of the suspension. The very first part of the research work summarizes about the various thermo physical properties of Al2O3 Nanofluid. In evacuated tube solar water heating system nanofluids are used as primary fluid and DM water as secondary fluid in Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger. The experimental analysis of Shell and Tube heat exchanger integrated with Evacuated tube solar collector have been carried out with two types of primary fluids. Research study of shell and tube heat exchanger is focused on heat transfer enhancement by usage of nano fluids. Conventional heat transfer fluids have inherently low thermal conductivity that greatly limits the heat exchange efficiency. The result of analysis shows that average relative variation in LMTD and overall heat transfer coefficient is 24.56% and 52.0% respectively. The payback period of system is reduced by 0.4 years due to saving is in replacement cost of Evacuated Tube Collector. Keywords: ETC; Nanofluid; LMTD; Thermal Conductivity; Overall heat transfer coefficient