Optimisation of Heat Exchanger Performance Using Modified Gyroid-Based TPMS Structures

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) represent an innovative approach to the design of heat exchangers, enabling the optimisation of thermal and hydraulic performance. This study presents a comparative analysis of three geometric TPMS configurations: sheet gyroid, skeletal gyroid, and the newly proposed combined gyroid geometry. Using numerical analysis based on simulations of fluid flow and heat transfer, key parameters such as the heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, friction factor, Chilton–Colburn j-factor, and pressure drop were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the combined gyroid geometry achieves the highest heat transfer efficiency, exhibiting significant improvements in the Nusselt number and heat transfer coefficient across the entire flow range. Simultaneously, it maintains low pressure losses, making it well suited for applications demanding high thermal performance with minimal energy losses. This study highlights the potential of TPMS geometries for optimising heat exchanger design and opens new paths for their implementation in industrial systems.