Performance Evaluation of Tube-in-Tube Heat Exchanger Using Nanofluids

Abstract:

Nanofluids are fluids containing nanometer-sized particles of metals, oxides, carbides, nitrides, or nanotubes. They exhibit enhanced thermal performance when used in a heat exchanger as heat transfer fluids. Alumina (Al₂O₃) is the most commonly used nanoparticle due to its enhanced thermal conductivity. The work presented here, deals with numerical simulations performed in a tube-in-tube heat exchanger to study and compare flow characteristics and thermal performance of a tube-in-tube heat exchanger using water and Al₂O₃/water nanofluid. A local element-by-element analysis utilizing e-NTU method is employed for simulating the heat exchanger. Profiles of hot and cooling fluid temperatures, pressure drop, heat transfer rate along the length of the heat exchanger are studied. Results show that heat exchanger with nanofluid gives improved heat transfer rate when compared with water. However, the pressure drop is more, which puts a limit on the operating conditions.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 787)
• Pages: 72-76
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.787.72
• Online since: August 2015
• Authors: V. Naveen Prabhu*, M. Suresh
• Keywords: E-NTU Method, Heat Transfer Characteristics, Nanofluid, Tube-in-Tube Heat Exchanger, Water

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