Optimization of finned-tube heat exchangers for diesel exhaust waste heat recovery using CFD and CCD techniques

In this paper, response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) is applied to obtain an optimization design of finned type heat exchangers (HEX) to recover waste heat from the exhaust of a diesel engine. The design is performed for a single point operation (1600 rpm and 60 N m) of an OM314 diesel engine obtained from experimental measurements. Based on the CCD principle, fifteen HEX cases with different fins height, thickness and number are modeled numerically and the optimization is done to have the maximum heat recovery amount and minimum of pressure drop along the heat exchanger.