Optimization of an industrial heat exchanger using an open-source CFD code

The objective of the present study is to develop an optimized heat pipe exchanger used to improve the energy efficiency in building ventilation systems. The optimized design is based on a validated model used inside a numerical plan built on a design of experiments statistical procedure. The numerical model, built using the open-source package OpenFOAM, is validated through experimental measurements done on a small scale heat pipe industrial exchanger. The results from the open source model are also compared to the numerical predictions obtained from a commercial code. Modelling results show good agreement with experiment measurements, thus showing the great potential of the model as a tool for heat pipe engineering design. The results are analysed in terms of efficiency for different configurations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.