Copper oxide-based nanofluids for the shell and tube heat exchanger: performance analysis

Abstract The STHE is most widely used in industrial applications. HE transfers energy (heat) between hot and cold fluids in a stipulated period with higher efficacy. The performance of HE depends upon the operating parameters as well as the properties of the fluid used in the application. In this article, h , Q , pressure drop, and effectiveness of STHE have been studied with CuO/water NFs (0.002 wt.%) for variable volumetric flow rate. The effect of CuO dose in the distilled water has also been studied in terms of thermophysical properties µ , ρ , C p , k and compare their value with the tap and distilled water. The h , Q , pressure drop, and effectiveness of STHE were studied for the cold fluid (NF) of 30 °C and hot fluid (water) range of 50–80 °C. The HE performance was studied for hot and cold fluid velocity ranges of 2–4 L/min for both side fluids. The study states that the h and Q increase with air flow rate and noted maximum at the hot and cold fluid rate of 4 L/min. At this flow rate, h of 404.18, 411.16, 418.61, 441.14 W/m 2 K and Q of 2.78, 3.89, 5.56, 6.11 KW have been noted for inlet hot fluid temperatures of 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C respectively. The effectiveness of STHE of w-NFs was observed by 45.4, 40.09, 38.28, and 36.67 % at higher flow rates and 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C respectively in comparison with the w-w experimental approach. The current study states that the Q and h with NF are enhanced by 19.73, 22.71, 27.73 & 47.16 % and 33.58, 44.45, 49.25 & 50.53 % for hot fluid temperatures of 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C respectively in comparison with hot water.