Temperature Approach Optimization in the Double Pipe Heat Exchanger with Groove

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bali State Polytechnic, Badung-Bali, Indonesia.

E-mail: wijayasunu@pnb.ac.id

Abstract

Heat transfer in double pipe heat exchanger with circumference-rectangular grooves has been investigated experimentally. The volume flowrate of cold and hot water were varied to determine its influence on the approach temperature of the outlet terminals. In this experimental design, the grooves were incised in annular room that is placed on the outside surface of the inner pipe. The shell diameter is 38.1 mm and tube diameter 19.4 mm with 1 m length, which is made of aluminum. The flow pattern of the two fluids in the heat exchanger is a parallel flow. The working fluid is water with volume flow rate of 27.1, 23.8 and 19.8 l/minute. The temperature of water on the inlet terminals are 50±1°C for hot stream and 30±1°C for cold stream. Temperature measurements conducted on each terminal of the inlet and outlet heat exchanger. The results showed that the grooves induced the approach temperature. The change of the approach temperature from the grooves compared to that of without grooves decreased by 37.9%. This phenomenon indicates an increase in heat transfer process and performance of the heat exchanger. Groove improves the heat surface area of the inner pipe, increasing the momentum transfer and in the other hand, reducing the weight of heat exchangers itself.