Discontinuous Finite Element Analysis of Counter Flow Heat Exchanger Unit Cell

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2021 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 8 Issue 8

Year of Publication : 2021

Authors : Suliman Alfarawi, Azeldin El-sawi, Hossin Omar

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V8I8P102

How to Cite?

Suliman Alfarawi, Azeldin El-sawi, Hossin Omar, "Discontinuous Finite Element Analysis of Counter Flow Heat Exchanger Unit Cell," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 8,  no. 8, pp. 7-10, 2021. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V8I8P102

Abstract:

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted on parallel-plated counter flow heat exchanger using continuous and discontinuous meshing schemes. A unit cell of the counter flow heat exchanger was initially selected as a computational domain for testing the CFD metrics. The results of Nusselt number and friction factor using continuous meshing were compared to available methods in literature. Good agreement was found with 6 % and 1 % maximum deviations in Nusselt number and friction factor results, respectively. The CFD simulations were performed at different Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 2000 using the two approaches. The results of the two approaches were compared in terms of accuracy and computational time. It was found that the results of Nusselt number of discontinuous meshing approach are 8% overestimated only at higher Reynolds numbers, while the results of pressure drop of discontinuous meshing approach are 8.5% underestimated at higher Reynolds numbers. The discontinuous meshing approach is recommended for the preliminary design of a heat exchanger regardless of the complexity of the geometry as less memory and time are required.

Keywords:

CFD, Counter-flow, Discontinuous, Heat Exchanger, Meshing.

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