Numerical Modeling of Fin and Tube Heat Exchanger for Waste Heat Recovery

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Abstract

In the present work, multiphysics numerical modeling is carried out to predict the performance of a liquid-gas fin and tube heat exchanger design. Three-dimensional (3D) steady-state numerical model using commercial software COMSOL based on finite element method (FEM) is developed. The study associates conjugate heat transfer phenomenon with the turbulent flow to describe the variable temperature and velocity profile. The performance of heat exchanger design is investigated in terms of overall heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, Colburn j-factor, flow resistance factor, and efficiency index. In addition, the impact of thermal contact resistance at an interface between fin and tube on the performance is examined. It is found that contact resistance of 3.3 x 10-6 (Km2)/W can reduce the overall performance by approx. 6% when compared with the case of no thermal contact resistance between fin and tube. The present numerical model predicts the performance of the heat exchanger design, therefore, can be applied to existing waste heat recovery systems to improve the overall performance with optimized design and process-dependent parameters.
Original languageEnglish
Publication dateMar 2016
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2016
EventThe First Pacific Rim Thermal Engineering Conference - Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Hawaii's Big Island, Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii, United States
Duration: 13 Mar 201617 Mar 2016
Conference number: 1
http://www.jsme.or.jp/ted/PRTEC2016/

Conference

ConferenceThe First Pacific Rim Thermal Engineering Conference
Number1
LocationWaikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Hawaii's Big Island
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWaikoloa Beach, Hawaii
Period13/03/201617/03/2016
Internet address

Keywords

  • Waste heat recovery
  • Fin and tube heat exchanger
  • Turbulent flow
  • Conjugate heat transfer

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