Analysis of Gasketed-plate Heat Exchanger Performance Using Nanofluid

A heat exchanger using nanofluid needs to operate at optimum mass concentration level to get the maximum heat transfer performance. A numerical analysis is performed on the heat transfer and pressure drop of water-based γ-Al2O3 nanofluid gasketed-plate heat exchanger to specify its optimum conditions. Cold water will be heated by γ-Al2O3/water nanofluid. The results showed that optimal volume concentration of γ-Al2O3/water nanofluid based on a maximum performance index is about 0.016. The heat transfer rate at the optimal concentration of nanofluid is approximately 12.3% higher than that of pure water (base fluid), while pumping power is increased by 1.15%. With regard to 1% enhancement in heat transfer rate with increasing ϕ values from ϕ=0.016 to ϕ=0.028 (optimum volume concentration for maximum heat transfer rate) and the pumping power required for nanofluid, the optimum concentration for maximum performance index is selected as the best level of particle volume fraction for γ-Al2O3/water nanofluid in this research.