International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 02 | Feb 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
"Enhanced Heat Transfer Performance in Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers: A CFD Analysis of Twisted Tape Turbulators with Nanofluid Insertion" Sudhanshu Bhushan1, Ajay Singh2, Parag Mishra3 1 Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Radharaman Institute of Technology and Science, Bhopal, M.P.,
India.
2Head and Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Radharaman Institute of Technology and Science,
Bhopal, M.P., India. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Radharaman Institute of Technology and Science, Bhopal, M.P., India. ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------3Assosiate Professor,
Abstract - This study presents a comprehensive
Key Words: Heat Exchanger, Nanofluid, Twisted Tape Turbulator, CFD Analysis, Thermal Analysis
computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a shell and tube heat exchanger with a novel enhancement technique - the insertion of twisted tape turbulators within the tube side - and the incorporation of Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles in water as the base fluid. The primary objective is to investigate and compare the heat transfer rate, convective heat transfer coefficient, and pressure drop characteristics under various operating conditions. The numerical simulations were conducted using commercial CFD software, where the governing equations of mass, momentum, and energy were solved employing the finite volume method. The k-ε turbulence model was adopted to account for turbulent flow behavior inside the heat exchanger. The results obtained from the CFD simulations were validated against experimental data, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the computational approach. Subsequently, a parametric study was performed to explore the effects of varying nanoparticle concentrations, flow velocities, and twist ratios of the tape turbulators on the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics. The findings reveal that the incorporation of Al2O3 nanoparticles significantly enhances the overall heat transfer rate, with notable improvements observed at higher nanoparticle concentrations. Moreover, the convective heat transfer coefficient is found to be enhanced due to the presence of the twisted tape turbulators, demonstrating a significant impact on the overall performance of the heat exchanger. However, it is also observed that an increase in nanoparticle concentration leads to an augmented pressure drop across the heat exchanger. Therefore, a trade-off between enhanced heat transfer and increased pressure drop needs to be considered in practical applications. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the use of twisted tape turbulators and SiO2 nanofluids in shell and tube heat exchangers. The results offer a fundamental understanding of the thermal and hydrodynamic behavior and can aid in optimizing the design and operational parameters to achieve an optimal balance between enhanced heat transfer performance and acceptable pressure drop levels in industrial applications.
© 2024, IRJET
|
Impact Factor value: 8.226
1.INTRODUCTION Heat exchangers play a pivotal role in numerous industrial processes and energy systems, facilitating efficient thermal energy transfer between two fluid streams. Over the years, researchers have explored various enhancement techniques to augment the heat transfer rate and improve the overall efficiency of these heat exchangers. Among the prominent techniques, the insertion of turbulators within the tube side and the utilization of nanofluids have shown promising results in enhancing heat transfer characteristics. In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena. CFD simulations provide detailed insights into complex fluid dynamics and offer a cost-effective approach to evaluate different heat exchanger configurations and operating conditions. This study focuses on conducting a comprehensive CFD analysis of a shell and tube heat exchanger, which incorporates twisted tape turbulators inside the tube and utilizes a nanofluid composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles dispersed in water as the base fluid. The incorporation of twisted tape turbulators in the tube side of heat exchangers has gained popularity due to their ability to induce turbulence and enhance convective heat transfer. Twisted tapes promote the formation of secondary flow patterns, breaking the boundary layer and leading to increased heat transfer rates. Consequently, these turbulators have been widely adopted to improve the thermal performance of heat exchangers, particularly in applications involving high heat transfer requirements. In addition to the use of turbulators, nanofluids have emerged as a promising heat transfer enhancement medium. Nanofluids are colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles in a base fluid, which exhibit unique thermal properties compared to conventional fluids.
|
ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal
|
Page 98