A numerical study of water based nanofluids in shell and tube heat exchanger

Abstract This numerical investigation is made to estimate the effect of Al2O3 and Cu nanofluids on heat transfer rate, friction factor and thermal performance factor of a shell and tube heat exchanger. Mass flow rates of shell side (water) fluid are varied. Water based nanofluids are used inside the tubes with 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05% volume concentrations of Al2O3 and Cu nanofluids. Nusselt number obtained from the present investigation is compared with Dittus–Bolter equation and Pongjet Pomvonge et al. and found to be in good agreement with a maximum deviation of 3%. The Nusselt number of the dispersed nanofluids increased with the increase of nanofluids volume concentrations and shell side mass flow rate. In this study, maximum enhancement in Nusselt number is 7.50%, 8.65%, and 9.61% for Al2O3, and 1.46%, 2.23%, and 3.18% for Cu nanofluid respectively at 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05% volume concentrations were compared to base fluid as water. Friction factor is highest by 58.00% at 0.05% volume concentration of Cu/H2O nanofluid when relate to Al2O3/H2O nanofluid. Thermal Enhancement factor achieved is highest for Al2O3/H2O nanofluid.