Experimental investigation of convective heat transfer and pressure drop of SiC/water nanofluid in a shell and tube heat exchanger

In this study, the heat transfer enhancement due to using Silicon Carbide nanofluid flowing through the tube side in a shell and tube heat exchanger is studied. Nano-fluid concentrations are 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 Vol.%, respectively. The hot water is passed through the shell side at temperatures of 35, 45 and 55 degrees C. The flow rate of nanofluid is adjusted at 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 (L/h), while, the hot water flow rate of the outer tube is 180(L/h). The results show that heat transfer and pressure drop increase with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles and mass flow rate. 19.8% increase in heat transfer is observed due to adding nanoparticles.