Heat Transfer Enhancement of Al2O3-Based Nanofluid in a Shell and Helical Coil Heat Exchanger

Abstract

Active and passive techniques are generally used by the researchers for the heat transfer augmentation of fluids. Conventional fluids like water, ethylene glycol, and oils have not enough heat transfer capabilities to fulfill current requirements of high heat transfer rates of heat exchangers. Nanofluids are the new-generation fluids that have better heat transfer capabilities over traditional heat transfer fluids. The current study examines heat transfer analysis in a shell and helical tube heat exchanger using Al2O3 nanoparticles in aqueous solution. The analysis was carried out to determine the enhanced heat transfer rate as compared to the base fluid (water) in a vertical shell and helical coil geometry. Four different nanoparticle concentrations—1–4% by volume along with four different mass flow rates vary from 0.03 to 0.113 kg/s—were used to simulate the results. Results showed that the heat transfer rate of nanofluids was enhanced at higher mass flow rates, concentrations, and coil-side inlet temperatures.