Characteristics Of Heat Exchanger Research Articles

Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Characteristics in a Micro Heat Exchanger Employing Warm Nanofluids for Cooling of Electronic Components

The heat transfer enhancement and hydrodynamic characteristics of nanofluid use in a micro heat exchanger is investigated for cooling electronic components working in hot climatic conditions. The cooling fluid employed was water and TiO2 nanoparticles at mass concentrations of 1% and 5%, the Reynolds numbers ranged from 400 to 2000, and the inlet temperatures ranged between 35 °C and 65 °C. At a nanofluid inlet temperature of 55 °C and a nanoparticle concentration of 1%, the Nusselt number increased by 23% up to 54% as the Reynolds number varied between 400 and 2000. At a nanoparticle concentration of 5%, the percentages that correspondingly enhanced the Nusselt number were 32% and 63%. The temperature of the electronic heating component decreased by 4.6–5.2 °C when the nanofluid concentration was increased from 0 to 5% at a Reynolds number of 400 and a nanofluid inlet temperature of 35 °C. Small increments in the pressure drop of about 6% and 13% were observed at nanofluid concentrations of 1% and 5%, respectively. With nanoparticle concentrations of 1% and 5%, a Reynolds number of 2000, and a nanofluid inlet temperature of 35 °C, performance evaluation criterion (PEC) values of 1.36 and 1.45 were obtained. When the nanofluid inlet temperature increased to 65 °C, the PEC parameter decreased to 1.02–1.10 for both concentrations.

A Novel Numerical Model Considering Unsaturated Soil Properties and Computational Study on Heat and Moisture Transfer Characteristics of Helix Ground Heat Exchanger

Abstract A novel three-dimensional numerical simulation model for the helix ground heat exchanger was proposed in this paper, which takes into account unsaturated soil properties. This model is more suitable for real working conditions. To validate its accuracy, a miniature model heat transfer experimental platform was constructed. Additionally, the study conducted simulation research using three types of soil with significantly different thermal and moisture characteristics. Moreover, the comprehensive thermal conductivity and water diffusion coefficient of these three soil types were determined by relevant literature and experimental tests. The aim was to comprehensively explore the impact of different soil types on the heat and mass transfer of the helix ground heat exchanger. The results indicate that the numerical model developed in this paper accurately captures the heat and mass transfer characteristics of the helix ground heat exchanger to a certain extent. Increasing the comprehensive thermal conductivity and water diffusion coefficient of the soil can significantly enhance the heat exchange capacity of the exchanger. For instance, under sandy loam conditions, the heat exchange capacity is approximately 20.73% higher compared to clay loam conditions. The study also identifies two distinct areas around the helix ground heat exchanger: the severe change region and the soft change region. In the severe change region, there is a notable decrease in soil water content near the exchanger, which inevitably weakens the thermal conductivity of the soil. It is advised to minimize this effect through measures like active water spraying.

Frosting characteristics of microchannel heat exchangers: Parametric studies and correlation development

Recently, microchannel heat exchangers (MCHX) have been widely used in heat pump systems due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and high efficiency of heat transfer. However, when the MCHX operates in frosting conditions, its performance is adversely affected. To study the frost formation and distribution characteristics of MCHX, a comprehensive parametric study was performed for the MCHX with a larger fin pitch. The effects of fin geometries and environmental parameters on the frosting characteristics of MCHX were studied. Fin height (Fh) can effectively inhibit frost formation, which is due to the increase of surface temperature with the increase of Fh. When Fh increased from 6.0 mm to 11.8 mm, the frost time increased by 30.5 %. However, the increase in Fh also brings the penalty of reduced heat transfer rate. The effect of fin depth (Fd) on frost formation performance is small because the frost is mainly deposited in the front part, resulting in the rear fin cannot work efficiently. Fin pitch (Fp) is the most significant structural parameter affecting frosting performance. When Fp increases from 1.6 mm to 4 mm, the frosting time increases by 4 times and frost mass increased by 2.2 times. This is because with the increase of Fp, the frost blocking in the front part can be effectively delayed, and the distribution uniformity of the frost layer is improved. Lower surface temperature and higher humidity ratio significantly promote frost formation and reduce the uniformity of frost distribution. When the inlet temperature is reduced from −5 °C to −8 °C, the frosting time is shortened by 2.15 times, and the frost mass is reduced by 55.7 %. When the relative humidity increases from 76 % to 92 %, the frosting time is shortened by 2.15 times, and the frost mass is reduced by 42.5 %. The air velocity has a minor impact on the growth rate of frost in the front part. However, as the air velocity increases, the uniformity of frost distribution is significantly improved. When the air velocity increased from 1.1 m s−1 to 2.2 m s−1, the mass of accumulated frost increased by 29.5 %. Furthermore, frost thickness and air-side heat transfer coefficient correlations were developed by testing 12 samples. The developed heat transfer coefficient correlation can accurately capture the changing trend of the j-factor. This study provides a fundamental understanding of the frosting characteristics of MCHX and can effectively guide the louvered fin optimization.

Study on Flow Characteristics of Integrated Natural Circulation Reactor Under Inclined Conditions

In order to study the flow characteristics of an integrated natural circulation reactor under inclined conditions, a typical three-dimensional analysis model of natural circulation was established. The natural circulation under inclined conditions was numerically simulated using the computational fluid dynamics method, and the velocity and temperature distribution characteristics of heat exchangers and mixed-flow channels with different inclined angles were analyzed. The results show that as the inclination angle of the heat exchanger flow rate increases, there is a spatial migration phenomenon corresponding to the direction of the average flow rate. A large inclination angle will lead to a serious deterioration of the natural circulation capacity in the lower channel. Under inclined conditions, there is a phenomenon of temperature stratification in the mixed-flow channel.

Heat exchange characteristics between u-shaped butted well and reservoir

The geothermal resources in Shandong are relatively abundant. However, due to geological conditions, the high pressure of formation water reinjection makes it difficult and costly to achieve a 1:1 ratio of formation water extraction/reinjection during geothermal resource extraction. This causes waste of formation water resources and does not meet environmental protection requirements. The U-shaped butted well heat exchanger at the bottom of the well can achieve “heat extraction without water extraction”, effectively solving the problems of difficult formation water reinjection, pipeline reservoir corrosion, and reservoir damage in Shandong. Therefore, to explore the heat exchange characteristics between the U-shaped butted well heat exchanger at the bottom of the well and the reservoir, it is necessary to study various parameters of the heat exchanger operation. To better reflect the heat transfer status between the butted well and the soil, FLUENT software was used for simulation. Through simulation, the operation diagram of the generator after the comprehensive renovation was analyzed, guiding the operation of the U-shaped butted well heat exchanger.

Experimental study on thermal-hydraulic characteristics of cryogenic plate-fin heat exchangers

Plate-fin heat exchangers (PFHEs) are used in diverse applications because of their superior capabilities. Recently, the demand for PFHEs has increased in cryogenic industries. Therefore, evaluating the thermal and hydraulic performances of PFHEs under cryogenic conditions is crucial for effectively designing them. In this study, the thermal–hydraulic characteristics of cryogenic nitrogen gas flowing through PFHEs were investigated experimentally. Two PFHEs with different fin geometries are used in this study. The hydraulic diameters of the PFHEs were 2.13 and 1.47 mm. The experimental ranges of the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers were 345–7800 and 0.72–0.75, respectively. From the experimental results, a heat transfer correlation based on the Diani correlation was derived in both turbulent and laminar regimes, with root mean square percentage errors of 0.68 and 6.9 % for the turbulent and laminar regimes, respectively. For hydraulic performance, the calculated pressure drop demonstrated good agreement with the experimental data, with a root mean square percentage error of 13 %.

Numerical investigation and comparison on thermal-hydraulic performance of H-type finned tube heat exchanger

H-type finned tube heat exchangers have been widely used in boilers and waste heat recovery devices due to their advantages of wear resistance and anti-fouling. In order to improve the energy-saving effect, the flow and heat transfer characteristics of H-type finned tube heat exchangers with different tube bundle arrangements were studied. It was found that, at the same Re number, the column staggered arrangement can compensate for the limited heat transfer performance of the in-line arrangement and reduce the high pressure drop associated with the row staggered arrangement. Honeycomb arrangement was proposed based on the column staggered arrangement. Then, the effects of Re and tube pitches thermal-hydraulic performance of tube bundles with in-line and honeycomb arrangements were examined. The critical tube pitch or velocity at which the honeycomb tube bundle achieves the same thermal performance as the in-line tube bundle are determined. The results provide valuable insights for the practical application of flue gas heat exchangers with honeycomb arrangement.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Heat Transfer Analysis of Double Pipe Heat Exchanger and Flow Characteristics Using Nanofluid TiO2 with Water

A device called a heat exchanger is used to exchange heat transfer between two fluids with different temperatures. Because of its durability and ability to handle high-pressure application, the concentric double pipe heat exchangers are widely utilized for numerous industrial applications. To conserve pumping power energy, many researchers were involved in study of the nanoparticles to be embedded in the fluid, which will enrich the fluid thermal conductivity and surface area. This article demonstrates the flow characteristics and convective heat transfer of nanofluids containing 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 of vol% TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in water under turbulent conditions, which mainly can be used for cooling nuclear reactors applications. Reynolds numbers varying from 4000 to 18,000 are examined numerically. The convective heat transfer coefficient results of the nanofluid agree well against experimental data, which are slightly more than that of base water at 1.94%. The results of the numerical model showed that the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids will increase when the Reynolds and volume fraction increases. By increasing the temperature of the annular hot water, the heat transfer rate will increase, showing no major impact to the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids. A generalised solution predicting the convective heat transfer coefficient for extensive nanoparticle materials is proposed. The conclusion of the empirical equation is tested among published data and the results are highly congruent, confirming the strength of the gamma equation.

Employing uniform and non-uniform inner twisted elliptical tubes in a double-pipe heat exchanger

Turbulent hydrothermal characteristics in a double-pipe heat exchanger with an internal twisted elliptical tube (TET) are investigated. The impacts of aspect ratio (AR = 1.4–2), uniform twist pitch (p = 100 mm-400 mm), and non-uniform twist pitch (five cases) on flow stream characteristics and heat transfer of parallel and counter-flows are investigated numerically. Utilizing a TET with a non-uniform twist pitch as an innovative approach yields noteworthy results, particularly in contrast to the traditional use of TETs with uniform twist pitch, owing to the longitudinal asymmetry. The outcomes depict that the pressure drop and heat transfer augment as the uniform twist pitch declines and the AR rises. The counter-flow has a more significant average Nusselt number than the parallel-flow by about 2–4 % without increasing the friction factor. Still, in some cases of non-uniform twist pitch, the average Nusselt number of the parallel flow is even 4 % higher than the counter-flow. The case with p = 100–200–400 mm (three parts with various twist pitches) and parallel-flow exhibits the most significant performance evaluation criterion (PEC) among the non-uniform twist pitch. As the aspect ratio increases from AR = 1.4 to AR = 2, the PEC factor in the counter-flow mode increases; however, there is an out-of-trend point at AR = 2 for the parallel-flow mode. The PEC factor augments about 8.47 % and 6.16 % for the counter-flow and the parallel-flow modes, respectively. The growth of TET twist pitch by 300 % reduces PEC by about 13.3 % in the counter-flow. The most significant PEC value is 1.166, which belongs to the case with the counter-flow condition and p = 100 mm.

Investigating the coupling effect of ventilation and GHEs on temperature distribution and heat transfer characteristics

Tunnel lining geothermal heat exchangers (GHEs) offer numerous advantages, including small area, cost-effectiveness and high heat exchange efficiency. It is a good equipment to utilize geothermal energy in tunnels. However, few research has been conducted on the combined impact of tunnel lining GHEs and ventilation on the temperature field of the surrounding rock. In this study, laboratory test model of combined impact of heat transfer between ventilation and GHEs was established, the effects of different flow rates and wind speeds on temperature field and heat exchange characteristics of the rock were investigated, and the changes in heat transfer under different operational conditions were analyzed. The findings reveal that tunnel ventilation initially enhances the heat transfer efficiency of GHEs, but subsequently decreases the overall heat transfer. Moreover, higher wind speeds exacerbate this negative impact. The radius of the heating ring decreases with increased heat transfer, and the temperature of the surrounding rock rises with heightened heat exchange at same locations within the heating ring. There are reasonable ranges of wind speed and GHEs flow rate, which are 1.5 m/s–2 m/s for wind speed and 0.4 m/s–0.6 m/s for flow rate, respectively. These results are important for the evaluation of thermal effect of tunnel lining GHEs and ventilation design.

Numerical investigation of coupled heat transfer and flow characteristics in helical coil heat exchanger for mine water waste heat recovery

To efficiently recover waste heat from mine water, this study numerically investigates the flow and heat transfer performance of a tube-shell coupled helical coil heat exchanger (HCHE), under high Reynolds number conditions. The effects of inlet water temperature, mass flow rate (m), tube diameter (d), and helix pitch (P) on the tube side, shell side, and overall performance are analyzed. Performance metrics include friction factor (f), Nusselt number (Nu), overall heat transfer coefficient (U), heat transfer rate, and the Performance Evaluation Criteria (PEC) number. Specifically, this study focuses on detailed observation and analysis of the shell-side flow and temperature fields. Findings reveal that enlarging d from 30 mm to 50 mm results in a 32.55% decrease in U, whereas increasing P from 50 mm to 200 mm boosts U by 8.02%. The highest PEC number of HCHE is 2.43, observed in conditions of P = 50 mm, d = 30 mm, and mc = 4 × 103 kg/h. Correlations for fc, Nuc, and Nush are proposed based on simulation results. This study provides a theoretical basis for the design and structural optimization of HCHE in the mine water waste heat recovery applications.

Study of the thermal performance characteristics of shell and semi-circular tube heat exchanger using both baffles and nanofluid

Study of the thermal performance characteristics of shell and semi-circular tube heat exchanger using both baffles and nanofluid

Insights into thermodynamic performance of a hypersonic precooled air-breathing engine with a complicated multi-branch closed cycle

An advanced precooled airbreathing engine with a closed Brayton cycle is a promising solution for high-speed propulsion, of which the Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE) is a representative configuration. The performance of the latest SABRE-4 cycle was analyzed in this paper. Firstly, a relatively complete engine performance model that considers the characteristics of turbomachinery and heat exchangers was developed. Then, Sobol’ global sensitivity analysis of key performance parameters was carried out to identify the most influential design variables. Optimal specific impulses under different target specific thrusts were obtained by particle swarm optimization, of which the thermodynamic parameters corresponding to a specific thrust of 1.12 kN·s·kg−1 and a specific impulse of 3163 s were chosen as the design values. Four different control laws were analyzed in contrast, and the charge control method had the strongest ability of thrust regulation as well as maintaining a favorable specific impulse performance. Finally, working characteristics under the charge control and over a typical flight envelope were calculated, in which the average value of the maximum specific impulse was as high as 5315 s. This study would help to deepen the understanding of SABRE-4 thermodynamic characteristics and other precooled airbreathing engine cycles with similar layouts.

Determining heat and mass exchange kinetic in a column heat exchanger with direct phases contact

The object of this study was the processes of heat and mass transfer in a column heat exchanger with direct phases contact. The investigated problem is related to the need to determine the estimates of the kinetic characteristics of heat exchange during the concentration of solutions in a contact heat exchanger equipped with dual-flow trays. In particular, it was assumed that the determination of the influence of the gas velocity in the apparatus and the density of liquid irrigation of the plates, as well as the geometry of the plates, on the kinetic coefficients would make it possible to reveal the patterns of heat and mass exchange between the liquid and the air in contact with it in the column apparatus. It was determined that to increase the intensity of mass transfer in the gas and heat transfer in the liquid, it is necessary to increase the gas velocity and irrigation density. Then the gas velocity and irrigation density have approximately the same effect on the intensity of mass transfer in the gas and heat transfer in the liquid. When studying the effect of the geometry of the plate on the kinetic coefficients of heat transfer in the liquid and mass transfer in the gas, it was established that the value of the portion of the free cross section of the plate has a decisive influence on the value of the considered kinetic coefficients. A generalized equation was built, which makes it possible not only to calculate the enthalpy transfer coefficient during the interaction of sodium chloride solution with air but also to determine the limiting stage of this process. The results could be used to design a unit for concentrating a hot solution of sodium chloride by evaporating water during blowing with air in a contact heat exchanger. This would make it possible to obtain crystalline sodium chloride using secondary energy resources and other non-traditional sources of thermal energy

Heat transfer characteristics of the air-oil heat exchanger with spiral tube

The cooling problem of hot-end components has become an important factor restricting the aero-engine performance, life and reliability. In order to improve the cooling quality of the cooling air, the supercritical aviation kerosene was used as a heat sink to cool the cooling air in a spiral heat exchanger. The flow and heat transfer process of the air-oil heat exchanger with spiral tube were numerically simulated using Fluent software. The flow and heat transfer situation of air and aviation kerosene were analyzed in detail. The optimized spiral heat exchanger with the diaphragm was presented to enhance the heat transfer capacity of the air side. It is found that the heat transfer performance of the air-oil heat exchanger is greatly enhanced by the spiral tube due to the secondary flow effect. With the increase in the turning angle of the spiral tube, the effect of the secondary flow for the heat transfer enhancement is strengthened. The PEC index of the spiral heat exchanger increases with the increase in the air flow rate. The spiral heat exchanger with the diaphragm can effectively improve the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger, and increase the PEC index of the air side by more than 20%.

Sensitivity analysis and performance prediction of a micro plate heat exchanger by use of intelligent approaches

Performance of the heat exchanger with micro dimensions is influenced by variety of factors that have been evaluated in different experimental studies. Similar to other thermal devices, it is possible to propose model for performance characteristics of micro heat exchangers by means of intelligent methods. The aim of the present study is development of models based on intelligent techniques for estimation of Nusselt number in a micro heat exchanger using hybrid nanofluid. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis is implemented to assess the importance of considered inputs in the models. In this study, experimental data from another research work on the nanofluidic micro heat exchanger is used to propose model based on multilayer perceptron (MLP) and Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) neural networks. Comparison between the outputs of the model and data provided in the experimental study reveals great exactness of the proposed models. It is found that the exactness of the model and errors in the prediction are dependent on the applied configuration and algorithm. R2 of the models by use of GMDH and MLP are 0.9948 and 0.9972, respectively. Average Absolute Relative Deviation (AARD) of the models based on the noted approaches are 2.43 % and 1.56 %, respectively. In addition to modeling, sensitivity analysis is carried out and it is observed that concentration of nanomaterial, TiO2-ZnO, in the working fluid has higher importance than Reynolds number and height of plate in the value of Nusselt number.

Experimental study on hydrothermal characteristics of shell and tube heat exchanger using phase change material-based hybrid nanofluid

Experimental study on hydrothermal characteristics of shell and tube heat exchanger using phase change material-based hybrid nanofluid

Experimental investigation on heat transfer characteristics of copper heat exchangers based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS)

The Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) demonstrates unparalleled advantages in heat transfer performance. However, recent study primarily focuses on experiments involving single-phase working fluids in low thermal conductivity heat exchangers made of aluminum or plastics, or simulation studies on parts rather than the overall heat exchanger. In this study, we successfully utilized additive manufacturing to create three high thermal conductivity pure copper TPMS-structured heat exchangers (Primitive, Gyroid, and Fischer-Koch S). A test rig was set up for heat transfer performance evaluation using refrigerant (R134a) and a coolant solution (50% ethylene glycol-water) for the three pure copper TPMS heat exchangers. The j/f factor of the Fischer-Koch S structure increased by 358.4% compared to traditional plate heat exchangers, and Gyroid structure improved by 178.1%. The manufactured three copper TPMS heat exchangers exhibited higher volumetric heat transfer rates compared to TPMS structures reported in literature, with the Fischer-Koch S heat exchanger showing a 47.8% increase. This study, in contrast to the extensively discussed Gyroid structure in the literature, highlights the substantial potential of the Fischer-Koch S structure, particularly as a pure copper two-phase heat exchanger within the thermal management system of electric vehicles.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ КОМПОЗИТНЫХ БАЛЛОНОВ В КОММУНАЛЬНО-БЫТОВОМ ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИИ ПОТРЕБИТЕЛЕЙ ГАЗОМ

The introduction of new advanced materials into gas supply practice leads to the creation of new products with improved qualities. For domestic use, along with traditional metal cylinders for liquefied petroleum gas, composite cylinders have recently been offered. Possessing a number of undeniable advantages, composite cylinders annually increase their share of presence in the field of bottled gas supply. However, the transition from traditional metal cylinders for the consumer should not be accompanied by a banal change of vessels, but requires a comprehensive, competent approach with justification for decisions made on the formation of a gas supply system for the consumer based on cylinders made of composite materials. Using the basic principles characterizing changes in the states of gas mixtures included in liquefied hydrocarbon gas, the characteristics of heat exchange, the vessels under study, the principles of operation of gas-using equipment for the consumer, parameters are determined that form the basis for the competent use of composite cylinders for the consumer using liquefied gases of various brands. As a result of the research, the mass of gas for filling cylinders was determined, taking into account the seasonality of operation and brands recommended for domestic consumption, the process of heat exchange between the cylinder and the environment was studied, taking into account its operating mode and the uneven generation of the vapor phase in the daily cycle of operation to ensure food preparation and hot water supply to consumers, the optimal periods of continuous operation of an individual cylinder installation with different capacities of a sin-gle composite cylinder and the number of cylinder replacements in the annual operating cycle were determined.

Using different geometries on the amount of heat transfer in a shell and tube heat exchanger using the finite volume method

This research investigates the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of a conical spiral tube heat exchanger. The study specifically focuses on the application of Ag-HEG (Silver–Hydrogen exfoliated graphene) nanofluid and various turbulator designs. The range of Dean Numbers, specifically 2200 < Dean <4200, was studied through experiments under turbulent flow conditions. Furthermore, the finite volume method-based ANSYS Fluent commercial code was utilized for numerical simulations. Additionally, numerical simulations were performed using the ANSYS Fluent software, which utilizes the finite volume method. This research aims to perform a numerical analysis on the efficiency of a conical shell and tube heat exchanger. When compared to other models, spiral heat exchangers provide a larger contact area between the fluid and the exchanger within a specified occupied area. This advantage is one of the prominent features of this particular type of heat exchanger. The simulations were conducted in two stages. During the first stage, the thermal performance coefficients of three turbulators were evaluated. In the second stage, the four-blade turbulator with ten revolutions, which exhibited superior thermal performance, was further analyzed based on the number of circles around the center of the conical spiral coil. The numerical results showed that the four-blade turbulator with ten revolutions displayed superior thermal performance compared to the other modes, specifically the two-blade and three-blade turbulators. In the second stage, it was found that the Nusselt number achieved from 30 revolutions was higher by 4.2 %, 10 %, and 18.3 % compared to the Nusselt numbers obtained from the other two modes of 10 and 20 revolutions. Consequently, it is concluded that utilizing Ag-HEG nanofluids in conjunction with the four-blade turbulator featuring 30 revolutions is the optimal choice for improving heat transfer in conical spiral tube heat exchangers while maintaining an acceptable level of pressure drop. This combination outperforms traditional fluids and turbulators.