Effect of Nanofluids on the Performance of Shell and Tube, Double Pipe and Plate Heat Exchangers: Simulation and Experimental Evaluations

Abstract

In this novel study, various heat exchangers are compared to identify the most efficient one for heat transfer. This investigation involves shell and tube, double pipe, and plate heat exchangers, of which each is filled with different nanofluids. Following several hours of operation, output temperatures are recorded. The effects of nanofluids, containing aluminium oxide, magnesium oxide, and silicon oxide, at concentrations of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% are simulated. These simulated results are then compared with laboratory findings. Among the tested nanofluids, the most significant enhancement in the heat transfer coefficient is demonstrated by magnesium oxide, achieving a 40% improvement. Additionally, graphs illustrating the increase in the heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number for Reynolds numbers of 900, 600, 300, and 1800 are obtained and compared. Finally, tables summarizing the tests performed on different heat exchangers using various nanofluids are presented. Using laboratory-obtained temperatures, several parameters are calculated, including the logarithmic mean temperature difference, heat loss from hot water, heat gain by cold water, overall heat transfer coefficient, and total heat transfer. Based on these analyses, the shell and tube heat exchanger was purposed as the most efficient heat exchanger with the overall heat transfer coefficient of 5.06 W/m2K.