Thermal Performance of Nanofluids in a Flat Finned Tube Compact Heat Exchanger Using Efficiency and Effectiveness Method

A new solution procedure has been used recently for problems related to heat exchangers. This new procedure is called the Efficiency and Effectiveness Method. Compared to the usual methods, it is relatively simple and does not require experimental parameters, which are often complex and full of specificities that may be unnecessary. This work aims to apply the Efficiency and Effectiveness Method to analyze the thermal performance of a flat finned tube compact heat exchanger, using nanoparticles added to water as a refrigerant fluid. The heat exchanger in question is usually used in automotive radiators. The problem in question is related to using a set of nanoparticles to determine and compare the thermal performance of a finned flat-tube compact heat exchanger, typically used in automotive radiators. It is shown that nanoparticles improve the performance of the heat exchanger. Still, the improvement is directly linked to the ventilation system's power and refrigerant fluid flow. The main quantities analyzed in the work are refrigerant outlet temperature, air outlet temperature, and effectiveness of the heat exchange process. The best performing nanoparticles are metals and metal oxides. Furthermore, the greater the ventilation system's power used, the smaller the volume fraction needed to achieve good performance. The results can translate into lower costs for a given heat exchanger installation and design of a heat exchanger with smaller physical dimensions.