Journal Article

Energy saving with using of elliptic pillows in turbulent flow of two-phase water-silver nanofluid in a spiral heat exchanger

Mashayekhi, Ramin, Rozati, Seyed Alireza, Khodabandeh, Erfan, Chamkha, A., Toghraie, Davood, Akbari, Omidali

2020

Overview

Purpose Increasing heat transfer rate in spiral heat exchangers is possible by using conventional methods such as increasing number of fluid passes and counter flowing. In addition, newer ideas such as using pillows as baffles in the path of cold and hot fluids and using nanofluids can increase heat transfer rate. The purpose of this study is to simulate turbulent flow and heat transfer of two-phase water-silver nanofluid with 0-6 Vol.% nanoparticle concentration in a 180° path of spiral heat exchanger with elliptic pillows. Design/methodology/approach In this simulation, the finite volume method and two-phase mixture model are used. The walls are subjected to constant heat flux of q″ = 150,000 Wm−2. The inlet fluid enters curves path of spiral heat exchanger with uniform temperature Tin = 300 K. After flowing past the pillows and traversing the curved route, the working fluid exchanges heat with hot walls and then exits from the section. In this study, the effect of radiation is disregarded because of low temperature range. Also, temperature jump and velocity slipping are disregarded. The effects of thermophoresis and turbulent diffusion on nanofluid heat transfer are disregarded. By using finite volume method and two-phase mixture model, simulations are performed. Findings The results show that the flow and heat transfer characteristics are dependent on the height of pillows, nanoparticle concentration and Reynolds number. Increasing Reynolds number, nanoparticle concentration and pillow height causes an increase in Nusselt number, pressure drop and pumping power. Originality/value Turbulent flow and heat transfer of two-phase water-silver nanofluid of 0-6 per cent volume fraction in a 180° path of spiral heat exchanger with elliptic pillows is simulated.

• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited,Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subject: Baffles / Bedding / Cold / Cold flow / Computational fluid dynamics / Computer simulation / Diffusion pumps / Eddy diffusion / Efficiency / Energy conservation / Finite volume method / Fluid dynamics / Fluid flow / Fluids / Geometry / Heat exchange / Heat exchangers / Heat flux / Heat transfer / Height / Inlets (waterways) / Investigations / Low temperature / Mixtures / Nanofluids / Nanoparticles / Nusselt number / Pressure drop / Radiation effects / Reynolds number / Silver / Simulation / Studies / Thermophoresis / Turbulent diffusion / Turbulent flow / Two phase flow / Velocity / Viscosity / Water conservation / Working fluids