Thermal performance of a chaotic heat exchanger: an experimental study

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of heat exchangers requires innovative approaches that reconcile performance and sustainability. This study examines the potential of a curved geometry employing chaotic advection as a passive technique for improving internal heat transfer. The Chaotic Heat Exchanger (CHE) studied was constructed using 18 bends at 90 degree angles, and by simply turning each bend at a 90-degree angle to the previous one. The aim is to investigate the chaotic heat exchanger by focusing on heat transfer efficiency. A comparative analysis is carried out between the chaotic heat exchanger and a conventional Helical Heat Exchanger (HHE), using an experimental approach with water as the internal hot fluid. The Reynolds number examined ranges from 250 to 3500. It is found that the CHE outperforms the HHE both in terms of heating capacity and of inner Nusselt number, particularly in the intermediate Reynolds number range.