Numerical Analysis and Improvement of the Heat Exchanger Designed for Co-Generating Units

Abstract

Research on the heat exchangers for the co-generating units was carried out to obtain the best design, by comparing the efficiency and the concepts used by different heat exchangers. The system was designed based on three basic parameters optimization: number of coolant tubes, diameter of the coolant tube and inlet velocity of the cold gases. These three variables were manipulated in order to investigate heat transfer performances, as well as, effects of heat transfer fluids and the system's efficiency. Simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) were carried out, to have a better understanding and distinct visualization of the fluid flow, and to test and compare the results. The outcomes show that, different size of coolant tube diameter has the biggest impact on the system efficiency, compared to the other two variables. Design improvement, based on the contributions of the key parameters to efficiency of the heat exchanger, is recommended, as a final outcome of the project conducted. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.