CFD STUDY OF HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT IN PLATE HEAT EXCHANGERS WITH BIOMIMETIC RIBBED LABYRINTH DESIGNS

This research paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) examination of plate heat exchangers (PHE) fitted with bionic ribbed labyrinthine patterns. Using a biomimetic approach, these novel designs (capsule, diamond, and willow leaf) were inspired by nature, viz., cockroach egg, diamond sturgeon fish, and willow tree leaf, respectively. With a Reynolds number Re range of 500-2500, this investigation aims to highlight the impact of the rib shape (capsule, diamond, and willow leaf) and rib arrangement: straight and inclined (α = 90° and α = 45°) on its effectiveness. Utilizing ANSYS Fluent and the standard k-ε model of turbulence, a mesh independence investigation was carried out to guarantee the precision and dependability of the computational technique. The validation of computing findings was conducted by comparison with prior experimental studies. The new design outperformed the typical chevron-type PHE specifically the willow leaf design which has boosts it by 62.4% in terms of the thermohydraulic performance parameter (THPP).