Title: A computational fluid dynamics study of a condenser for condensation of bio-oil vapour from fast pyrolysis of biomass

Authors: Tanushree Soni; Bheru Lal Salvi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur – 313001 Rajasthan, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur – 313001 Rajasthan, India

Abstract: In this work, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of shell and multi-tube condenser with baffle plates was done for flow visualisation and improved heat transfer for condensation of biomass vapour. The water as cooling fluid was circulated through tubes and bio-oil vapour as inlet hot fluid was passed through a condenser shell. The CFD model was validated with the experimental results of newly designed and developed condenser for fractional condensation of bio-oil vapour. It was observed that use of baffle plates in the condenser shell diverted the vapour flow direction and increased the path of travel, which would result into improved heat transfer. Furthermore, for the fractional condensation, single shell with baffle plates and multi-outlets was sufficient instead of using two or more condensers. Overall, the study is more dedicated for inside flow visualisation of biomass vapour flow and improvement in the baffle plates placing and orientation.

Keywords: CFD analysis; shell and tube condenser; condensation; baffle plate; bio-oil vapour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2020.113770

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2020 Vol.11 No.4, pp.335 - 345

Received: 10 Dec 2019
Accepted: 25 Sep 2020
Published online: 22 Mar 2021 *

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