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Heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop analysis in a helically coiled tube using Al2O3 / water nanofluid

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Abstract

In this experimental investigation, the heat transfer and pressure drop analysis of a shell and helically coiled tube heat exchanger by using Al2O3 / water nanofluids have been carried out under turbulent flow condition. The Al2O3/ water nanofluids of 0.1%, 0.4%, and 0.8% particle volume concentration have been prepared by using two step method. The tube side experimental Nusselt number of 0.1%, 0.4% and 0.8% nanofluids were found to be 28%, 36% and 56%, respectively higher than water. These enhancements are due to higher thermal conductivity of nanofluid, better fluid mixing and strong secondary flow formation in coiled tube. The pressure drop of 0.1%, 0.4% and 0.8% were found to be 4%, 6%, and 9%, respectively higher than water. The increase in pressure drop is due to increase in nanofluid viscosity while adding nanoparticles. The measurement of nanofluid thermal performance factor is found to be greater than unity. It is concluded that the Al2O3 nanofluid can be applied as a coolant in helically coiled tube heat exchanger to enhance heat transfer with negligible pressure drop.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University College of Engineering Pattukkottai, Rajamadam, 614 701, Tamilnadu, India

    P. C. Mukesh Kumar, R. Tamilarasan & S. Sendhil Nathan

  2. Sasurie College of Engineering, Tiruppur, 638 056, Tamilnadu, India

    J. Kumar

  3. National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India

    S. Suresh

Authors
  1. P. C. Mukesh Kumar
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  2. J. Kumar
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  3. R. Tamilarasan
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  4. S. Sendhil Nathan
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  5. S. Suresh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. C. Mukesh Kumar.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Ji Hwan Jeong

P. C. Mukesh Kumar was born in Tamil nadu, India in 1975. He received Master’s degree on Energy Engineering in Regional Engineering College(currently NITT), Trichy, Tamilnadu, India in 2002 and Ph.D. in Anna University Chennai, India in 2013. His research interest includes heat transfer, helically coiled heat exchanger with alumina nanofluid. He is working as Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering in University College of Engineering Pattukkottai, Tamilnadu, India.

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Kumar, P.C.M., Kumar, J., Tamilarasan, R. et al. Heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop analysis in a helically coiled tube using Al2O3 / water nanofluid. J Mech Sci Technol 28, 1841–1847 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-014-0331-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-014-0331-z

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