Pressure drop and friction factor in helical heat exchangers under nonisothermal and turbulent flow conditions

Abstract

This study involved the determination of pressure drop and friction factor (f) in helical heat exchangers under turbulent flow conditions. The experiments were conducted in helical heat exchangers, with coils of two different curvatures ratios (d/D = 0.114 and 0.078) at various flow rates (9.46 × 10-5 - 6.31 × 10-4 m3/s) and end-point temperatures (20, 93.3, 121, 149C). The computed friction factor (f) in the helical heat exchanger was compared to published correlations, and it was found that the experimental data was in good agreement with them. In addition, correlations to determine pressure drop based on the Reynolds number, curvature ratio, and temperature were developed.