Geometrical effect coupled with nanofluid on heat transfer enhancement in heat exchangers

Abstract

This investigation summarized the application of nanofluids (NFs) in heat exchangers (HExs) with different geometries. The quest for heat devices with quick response for the industrial sector is still a major challenge that has been an active research direction over the years. Addressing this issue is likely to increase the capacity of several industries. There is a direct relationship between expanding the heat capacity and the pressure drop. The common approach in increasing the rate of heat transfer often leads to an increment in pressure drop. This study reviews and summarizes the investigations on various geometrical effects inside the channel combined with NF in HExs. This review explored the potential of NFs as possible heat transfer fluid in HExs. From a detailed literature review compiled and evaluated, it has been deduced that NFs application significantly improves the thermal efficiency of HExs. The investigation further evaluated plate, helical, as well as shell and tube HExs. The review explored NFs application in HExs and how they can significantly improve the HExs' thermal characteristics. It was deduced that the use of NFs improved the heat transfer both experimentally and numerically . This equally has a direct relation to energy savings as well as industrial waste heat.

Keywords

• Nanofluids
• Heat transfer
• Heat exchangers
• Industry
• Thermal conductivity
• Geometrical effect