Application of nanofluids for the optimal design of shell and tube heat exchangers using genetic algorithm

Optimization of shell and tube heat exchangers in industrial processes has always been a major goal for engineers and designers. The aim of the present study is to investigate application of alumina nanofluid to enhance the efficiency of heat exchangers while reducing energy consumption and overall cost. Alumina nanofluid increases the Nusselt number and thereby increases the heat transfer coefficient of shell and tube heat exchangers. Increased heat transfer coefficients reduce the required tube length leading to reduced pressure drop in the heat exchanger. In the case studied in this paper, over 185% increase in tube side heat transfer coefficient allows reduction of heat exchanger length and flow velocity and thereby reduction of pressure drop up to 94%. Consequently, the overall cost of the heat exchanger reduced more than 55%. Given the important results obtained from the use of nanofluid to enhance the efficiency of heat exchangers, the use of this technology is proposed as an efficient and practical method for the design of shell and tube heat exchangers.