Experimental investigation on Al2O3–W, SiO2–W and ZnO–W nanofluids and their application in a shell and tube heat exchanger. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shahrul, I.M.; Mahbubul, I.M.; Saidur, R.; Sabri, M.F.M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of heat and mass transfer. Volume 97(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 547
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Nanofluids -- Shell and tube heat exchanger -- Actual heat transfer -- Heat transfer coefficients -- Volumetric flow rates; Heat -- Transmission -- Periodicals; Mass transfer -- Periodicals; Chaleur -- Transmission -- Périodiques; Transfert de masse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.4022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2016.02.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9310

Abstract

Highlights: Thermal performance of a heat exchanger with nanofluid was examined. Heat transfer rate and coefficients were analyzed. Different flow rates for shell and tube sides were considered. Oxide based nanoparticles were used. ZnO–water nanofluid was found to be the best. Abstract: In this research, overall performance of a shell and tube heat exchanger operated with Al2 O3 –W, SiO2 –W, and ZnO–W nanofluids were experimentally investigated. Al2 O3 –W and SiO2 –W nanofluids were prepared without using any surfactant. The polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant was used to stabilize ZnO–W and Fe3 O4 –W nanofluids. Photo capturing method was used to justify the stability. However, Fe3 O4 –W nanofluid has not been stabilized by PVP so it was not considered for further analysis. Highest convective heat transfer coefficient ( hfT ), overall heat transfer coefficient ( Uo ), and actual heat transfer ( qfT ) have been observed for ZnO–W and lowest effectiveness ( ε ), hfT, Uo and qfT have been found for SiO2 –W. Approximately, 50%, 15%, and 9% enhancement in hfT have been found for ZnO–W, Al2 O3 –W, and SiO2 –W nanofluids, respectively. About 35%, 26%, and 12% improvement of Uo were observed accordingly for using the above-mentioned nanofluids and qfT also improved around 51%, 32%, and 26%, respectively compared to water. Experimentally, in case 1 (at constant shell side fluid flow of 4 lpm with different tube side fluid flow from 2 to 8 lpm), highest performance can be attained at 6 lpm using 0.3 vol.% of ZnO–W (with PVP) nanofluid. Likewise, highest performance reached at 7 lpm using 0.5 vol.% of Al2 O3 –W and SiO2 –W. In case 2 (at the constant tube side fluid flow of 4 lpm with different shell side fluid flow from 2 to 8 lpm), highest performance can be achieved at 8 lpm for all nanofluids. However, overall performance of the shell and tube heat exchanger can be improved about 35% by using ZnO–W (with PVP) nanofluids.