Effect of chevron angle on heat transfer performance in plate heat exchanger using ZnO/water nanofluid

The present experimental investigation focuses on the effect of symmetric (β ∼ 30°/30° and 60°/60°) and mixed (β ∼ 30°/60°) chevron angles in PHE on comparative energetic and exergetic performance for nanofluid-water. The particle volume concentration of selected ZnO/water nanofluid being used as coolant lies in range 0.5-2.0%. The experimental findings elucidates the detailed observations of the effect of different chevron angles in PHE on heat transfer rate ratio, heat transfer coefficient ratio, overall heat transfer coefficient ratio, pumping power ratio, performance index ratio, exergy loss, non-dimensional exergy loss, qualitative response of system by exergetic efficiency, total entropy generation and contribution of irreversible heat transfer arises due to frictional losses by Bejan number. Experimental observation confirm that optimum enhancement in heat transfer rate ratio, heat transfer coefficient ratio and optimum reduction in exergy loss are obtained at β ∼ 60°/60° for 1.0% particle volume concentration of ZnO/water nanofluid. Total entropy generation also minimized for this configuration, which is 41.78% and 26.94% for β ∼ 60°/60° as compared to β ∼ 30°/30° and β ∼ 30°/60° in PHE respectively. Bejan number is the highest for β ∼ 60°/60° in PHE indicates reduction in irreversible heat transfer due to frictional losses, thus improving the qualitative response of the system.