scholarly journals Thermo-Hydraulic Performance of U-Tube Borehole Heat Exchanger with Different Cross-Sections

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3255
Author(s):  
Aizhao Zhou ◽  
Xianwen Huang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Pengming Jiang ◽  
Xinwei Li

For reducing the initial GSHP investment, the heat transfer efficiency of the borehole heat exchange (BHE) system can be enhanced to reduce the number or depth of drilling. This paper proposes a novel and simple BHE design by changing the cross-sectional shape of the U-tube to increase the heat transfer efficiency of BHEs. Specifically, in this study, we (1) verified the reliability of the three-dimensional numerical model based on the thermal response test (TRT) and (2) compared the inlet and outlet temperatures of the different U-tubes at 48 h under the premise of constant leg distance and fluid area. Referent to the circular tube, the increases in the heat exchange efficiencies of the curved oval tube, flat oval tube, semicircle tube, and sector tube were 13.0%, 19.1%, 9.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. (3) The heat flux heterogeneity of the tubes on the inlet and outlet sides of the BHE, in decreasing order, is flat oval, semicircle, curved oval, sector, and circle shapes. (4) The temperature heterogeneity of the borehole wall in the BHE in decreasing order is circle, sector, curved oval, flat oval, and semicircle shapes. (5) Under the premise of maximum leg distance, referent to the heat resistance of the tube with a circle shape at 48 h, the heat exchange efficiency of the curved oval, flat oval, semicircle, and sector tubes increased 12.6%, 17.7%, 10.3%, and 7.8%, respectively. (6) We found that the adjustments of the leg distance and the tube shape affect the heat resistance by about 25% and 12%, respectively. (7) The flat-oval-shaped tube at the maximum leg distance was found to be the best tube design for BHEs.

Author(s):  
Yao Li ◽  
Haiqing Si ◽  
Jingxuan Qiu ◽  
Yingying Shen ◽  
Peihong Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract The plate-fin heat exchanger has been widely applied in the field of air separation and aerospace due to its high specific surface area of heat transfer. However, the low heat transfer efficiency of its plate bundles has also attracted more attention. It is of great significance to optimize the structure of plate-fin heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer efficiency. The plate bundle was studied by combining numerical simulation with experiment. Firstly, according to the heat and mass transfer theory, the plate bundle calculation model of plate-fin heat exchanger was established, and the accuracy of the UDF (User-Defined Functions) for describing the mass and heat transfer was verified. Then, the influences of fin structure parameters on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of channel were discussed, including the height, spacing, thickness and length of fins. Finally the influence of various factors on the flow field performance under different flow states was integrated to complete the optimal design of the plate bundle.


Author(s):  
H. Zabiri ◽  
V. R. Radhakrishnan ◽  
M. Ramasamy ◽  
N. M. Ramli ◽  
V. Do Thanh ◽  
...  

The Crude Preheat Train (CPT) is a set of large heat exchangers which recover the waste heat from product streams back to preheat the crude oil. The overall heat transfer coefficient in these heat exchangers may be significantly reduced due to fouling. One of the major impacts of fouling in CPT operation is the reduced heat transfer efficiency. The objective of this paper is to develop a predictive model using statistical methods which can a priori predict the rate of the fouling and the decrease in heat transfer efficiency in a heat exchanger in a crude preheat train. This predictive model will then be integrated into a preventive maintenance diagnostic tool to plan the cleaning of the heat exchanger to remove the fouling and bring back the heat exchanger efficiency to their peak values. The fouling model was developed using historical plant operating data and is based on Neural Network. Results show that the predictive model is able to predict the shell and tube outlet temperatures with excellent accuracy, where the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) obtained is less than 1%, correlation coefficient R2 of approximately 0.98 and Correct Directional Change (CDC) values of more than 90%. A preliminary case study shows promising indication that the predictive model may be integrated into a preventive maintenance scheduling for the heat exchanger cleaning.


2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Matos ◽  
T. A. Laursen ◽  
J. V. C. Vargas ◽  
A. Bejan

This work presents a three-dimensional (3-D) numerical and experimental geometric optimization study to maximize the total heat transfer rate between a bundle of finned tubes in a given volume and a given external flow both for circular and elliptic arrangements, for general staggered configurations. The optimization procedure started by recognizing the design limited space availability as a fixed volume constraint. The experimental results were obtained for circular and elliptic configurations with a fixed number of tubes (12), starting with an equilateral triangle configuration, which fitted uniformly into the fixed volume with a resulting maximum dimensionless tube-to-tube spacing S/2b = 1.5, where S is the actual spacing and b is the smaller ellipse semi-axis. Several experimental configurations were built by reducing the tube-to-tube spacings, identifying the optimal spacing for maximum heat transfer. Similarly, it was possible to investigate the existence of optima with respect to other two geometric degrees of freedom, i.e., tube eccentricity and fin-to-fin spacing. The results are reported for air as the external fluid in the laminar regime, for 125 and 100 Re 2b , where 2b is the ellipses smaller axis length. Circular and elliptic arrangements with the same flow obstruction cross-sectional area were compared on the basis of maximum total heat transfer. This criterion allows one to quantify the heat transfer gain in the most isolated way possible, by studying arrangements with equivalent total pressure drops independently of the tube cross section shape. This paper reports three-dimensional (3- D) numerical optimization results for finned circular and elliptic tubes arrangements, which are validated by direct comparison with experimental measurements with good agreement. Global optima with respect to tube-to-tube spacing, eccentricity and fin-tofin spacing ( 0.5 e 0.5, S/2b and 06 . 0 f for 125 and 100 Re 2b , respectively) were found and reported in general dimensionless variables. A relative heat transfer gain of up to 19% is observed in the optimal elliptic arrangement, as compared to the optimal circular one. The heat transfer gain, combined with the relative material mass reduction of up to 32% observed in the optimal elliptic arrangement in comparison to the circular one, show the elliptical arrangement has the potential for a considerably better overall performance and lower cost than the traditional circular geometry.


1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (03) ◽  
pp. 180-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odd M. Faltinsen

Water entry of a hull with wedge-shaped cross sections is analyzed. The stiffened platings between two transverse girders on each side of the keel are separately modeled. Orthotropic plate theory is used. The effect of structural vibrations on the fluid flow is incorporated by solving the two-dimensional Laplace equation in the cross-sectional fluid domain by a generalized Wagner's theory. The coupling with the plate theory provides three-dimensional flow effects. The theory is validated by comparison with full-scale experiments and drop tests. The importance of global ship accelerations is pointed out. Hydrodynamic and structural error sources are discussed. Systematic studies on the importance of hydroelasticity as a function of deadrise angle and impact velocity are presented. This can be related to the ratio between the wetting time of the structure and the greatest wet natural period of the stiffened plating. This ratio is proportional to the deadrise angle and inversely proportional to the impact velocity. A small ratio-means that hydroelasticity is important and a large ratio means that hydroelasticity is not important.


1987 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Warshawsky

The purpose of this paper is to review evidence which casts doubt on the interpretation universally applied to hexagonal images seen in sectioned enamel. The evidence is based on two possible models to explain the hexagonal profiles seen in mammalian enamel with transmission electron microscopy. The "hexagonal ribbon" model proposes that hexagonal profiles are true cross-sections of elongated hexagonal ribbons. The "rectangular ribbon" model proposes that hexagonal profiles are caused by three-dimensional segments that are parallelepipeds contained in the Epon section. Since shadow projections of such rectangular segments give angles that are inconsistent with the hexagonal unit cell, a model based on ribbons with rhomboidal cut ends and angles of 60 and 120° is proposed. The "rhomboidal ribbon" model projects shadows with angles that are predicted by the unit cell. It is suggested that segments of such crystallites in section project as opaque hexagons on the imaging plane in routine transmission electron microscopy. Morphological observations on crystallites in sections - together with predictions from the hexagonal, rectangular, and rhomboidal ribbon models - indicate that crystallites in rat incisor enamel are flat ribbons with rhomboidal cross-sectional shape. Hexagonal images in electron micrographs of thin-sectioned enamel can result from rhomboidal-ended, parallelepiped-shaped segments of these crystallites projected and viewed as two-dimensional shadows.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-107
Author(s):  
Kit-lun Yick ◽  
Wai-ting Lo ◽  
Sun-pui Ng ◽  
Joanne Yip ◽  
Hung-hei Kwan ◽  
...  

Background: Accurate representation of the insole geometry is crucial for the development and performance evaluation of foot orthoses designed to redistribute plantar pressure, especially for diabetic patients. Methods: Considering the limitations in the type of equipment and space available in clinical practices, this study adopted a simple portable three-dimensional (3-D) desktop scanner to evaluate the 3-D geometry of an orthotic insole and the corresponding deformities after the insole has been worn. The shape of the insole structure along horizontal cross sections is defined with 3-D scanning and image processing. Accompanied by an in-shoe pressure measurement system, plantar pressure distribution in four foot regions (hallux, metatarsal heads, midfoot, and heel) is analyzed and evaluated for insole deformity. Results: Insole deformities are quantified across the four foot regions. The hallux region tends to show the greatest changes in shape geometry (17%–50%) compared with the other foot regions after 2 months of insole wear. As a result of insole deformities, plantar peak pressures change considerably (–4.3% to +69.5%) during the course of treatment. Conclusions: Changes in shape geometry of the insoles could be objectively quantified with 3-D scanning techniques and image processing. This investigation finds that, in general, the design of orthotic insoles may not be adequate for diabetic individuals with similar foot problems. The drastic changes in the insole shape geometry and cross-sectional areas during orthotic treatment may reduce insole fit and conformity. An inadequate insole design may also affect plantar pressure reduction. The approach proposed herein, therefore, allows for objective quantification of insole shape geometry, which results in effective and optimal orthotic treatment.


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