A Comparative Study and Analysis of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Using Nanofluid

Abstract: This paper explores the effects of nanofluid, namely Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃), Titanium Oxide (TiO₂), and Magnesium Oxide (MgO) as working fluids in a compact shell and tube heat exchanger. The study focuses on assessing Thermal efficiency, namely Heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number, under different conditions. Nanofluid is used on the tube side as cold fluid, while water serves as the hot fluid on the shell side. Parameters such as nanofluid concentration (0.8%, 1.5%, and 2% by volume) and inlet flow velocity of cold fluid (0.4 m/s, 0.7 m/s and 1 m/s) are varied. Study uses a single-pass, counter-flow heat exchanger, modelled using ANSYS Fluent for CFD simulation. This research explores the change in heat transfer with varying velocity and concentration and also studies the potential of compact heat exchangers, which are increasingly preferred for their efficiency and space-saving design.

Keywords: CFD, Heat Transfer Coefficient, Nusselt Number, Flow Velocity, Nanofluid, Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger (STHE).