Title: Exergetic simulation and performance assessment of 1-1 shell and tube heat exchangers

Authors: Mehmet Utku Badak; Suha Orçun Mert

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Chemical Engineering, Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, 65080, Turkey ' Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Chemical Engineering, Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, 65080, Turkey

Abstract: The scope of this work is to apply exergetic simulation and performance investigation of 1-1 shell and tube heat exchanger using Comsol Multiphysics simulation program. Applying simulation to energy intensive systems has great importance before the design phase as it gives the engineers the possibility to avoid energy loss and increase efficiency before constructing the device and experimenting it. Since the modelling and optimisation is essential for better performance in thermal systems by including detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiphysics a broad parametric study is applied considering the operating parameters of inlet flow rates and temperatures of the fluids. 3D results for temperature, velocity and pressure profile for each case is determined and evaluated in a finely meshed structure. The results showed the exergy destruction is minimised in high shell-side velocity and temperature and low tube-side velocity and temperature.

Keywords: simulation; modelling; exergy analysis; performance evaluation; exergy efficiency; shell and tube heat exchangers; computational fluid dynamics; CFD; multiphysics; inlet flow rate; fluid temperature; velocity; pressure profile; exergy destruction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2016.079299

International Journal of Exergy, 2016 Vol.21 No.3, pp.261 - 276

Received: 08 Jan 2016
Accepted: 21 Mar 2016

Published online: 26 Sep 2016 *

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