Numerical study of the effects of geometric parameters and nanofluid properties on heat transfer and pressure drop in helical tubes

In this research the geometric parameters and nanofluid properties effects on heat transfer and pressure drop in helical tube, by using alumina-water nanofluid as cooling fluid, are numerically investigated. Friction factor and heat transfer coefficient are calculated by considering the effects of nanofluid properties, including nanoparticle diameter, nanofluid temperature, Reynolds number, and volume fraction, on the one hand, and the impact of geometric parameters, including tube diameter, coils diameter and coils pitch, on the other hand. Numerical analysis is performed in the Ansys Fluent 19.2 software using the SST k-ω turbulence model. By increasing the nanofluid volume fraction the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop in helical coils increase, the same as the nanoparticle diameter reduction. The reduction of nanoparticle diameter causes an enhancement of heat transfer and friction factor, the best results happen in d p = 5 nm and φ = 4%, where the it was ~ 40.64% more efficient than base fluid. This amounts for φ = 3%, φ = 2% and φ = 1% are 31.80%, 18.02% and 8.83%, respectively. Finally, the performance evaluation criteria (PEC) is compared for different cases, the maximum value was happen on φ = 4% and d p = 5 nm, which it is 1.86 times higher than the base fluid. The results indicate that the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger improve largely by using helical coils and nanofluids, rather than the base fluid, and direct tubes. In addition, increasing coil pitch and curvature ratio enhance heat transfer and reduce friction factor. Highlights The effects of geometry and nanofluid properties on heat transfer and pressure drop of the helical coils were studied. The effects of nanoparticle diameter, temperature, Reynolds and volume fraction on heat transfer and friction were studied. Tube diameter, coils diameter and coils pitch was considered to investigate the heat transfer and friction. Heat transfer raised up by increasing the coil pitch, curvature ratio and volume fraction, and reduced by increasing nanoparticle diameter.