CFD Analysis of a Solar-Geothermal Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

In this study, the temperature and velocity variations were examined in a solar-geothermal shell and tube heat exchanger (STHX) in a COMSOL Multiphysics environment. The velocity and temperature distributions within the shell, the heat transfer between the shell and tubes, and the exergetic efficiency and heat exchanger effectiveness are examined when the shell-side mass flow rate is varied from 28 to 138. kg/s. As a result of this study, it was observed that when the mass flow rate of shell-side fluid increases, the temperature difference along the heat exchanger decreases, and the shell-side fluid velocity increases. On the other hand, the amount of heat transfer and exergetic efficiency increases with increasing of shell-side mass flow rate. In addition, the effectiveness of the heat exchanger decreases with increasing the shell-side mass flow rate. The aim of this study is to provide guidance to heat exchanger designers and researchers on methods to improve the unit's heat transfer and thermodynamic performance, and methods to reduce the total pressure drop.