Experimental and theoretical investigations of special type coil heat exchanger with the nanofluid buffer layer

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of special type of coil heat exchanger. The tested device is equipped with three vertical coils and the temperature stratification system. Water is a heating medium in two coils. The refrigerant transferring the waste heat from air conditioning system is the heating medium in the third coil. The finned pipe of this coil has a double wall in which the annular buffer layer with nanofluid is mounted. Thermophysical properties of the applied water based Cu nanofluid cause the enhancement of heat transfer through the buffer layer. The paper presents thermal characteristics of the exchanger received on the basis of measurements performed on the industrial test stand. Measurements were conducted during the operation of the coil with refrigerant. Heat loss to the surroundings, distributions of water temperature in the storage tank, changes of water temperature in time and thermal power of the coil heat exchanger were obtained. The measurement results were compared with those received on the basis of theoretical analysis of the exchanger.