Effectiveness of a Shell and Helically Coiled Tube Heat Exchanger Operated With Gold Nanofluids at Low Concentration: A Multi-Level Factorial Analysis

Abstract

This work assesses the thermal performance of gold nanofluids as cooling liquid in a shell and helically coiled tube (SHCT) heat exchanger built in bench-scale. Tests planned under a multi-level factorial experimental design were carried out to evaluate the effects caused by the volumetric fraction of the gold nanoparticles, the volumetric flow rate of the working fluid and the inlet temperature of the hot fluid (water) on the SHCT heat exchanger effectiveness. Spherical gold nanoparticles with mean diameter of 14±2 nm were produced from the Turkevich's method to be used in two concentrations of about 10-5 %vol. The heat transfer tests were performed at volumetric flow rates of 20, 30 and 40 L/h for both working fluids using heated water at inlet temperatures of 40, 50 and 60°C. Results showed that the less concentrated nanofluid was comparatively more efficient, suggesting the presence of a range of values of the gold concentration for the existence of an improvement on the effectiveness in the heat transfer.