Performance of Corrugated Plate Heat Exchanger Using Nano-Fluid.(Dept.M)

Abstract

The application of nano-fluids is thought to have a strong potential for enhancing the heat transfer characteristics of the corrugated plate heat exchanger-PHE. The corrugated PHE is one of the most versatile and wide using types of heat exchangers. In this study, an experimental test loop has been constructed to study the PHE thermal characteristics, heat transfer coefficient, effectiveness , transmitted power and pressure drop at different volume fraction of Al2O3 nano-material (1% -4%) in pure liquid water as a base fluid. The experimental results were compared and verified against a theoretical model, a good consistence was noticed. A pronounced increase in both the heat transfer coefficient and the transmitted power was observed by increasing the nano- material concentration. It was found that during laminar flow regime (Re ≤ 2000) through the PHE, the increase in heat transfer coefficient and in PHE pressure drop is ranging from 3.7% - 13 % and 4 % -45% respectively that for a nano-fluid concentration range of 1%vol. - 4% vol.