Abstract This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the thermal performance of a counter-flow tubular heat exchanger by integrating Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with experimental validation. The heat exchanger model was developed using a concentric tube configuration, with water as the working fluid and copper as the heat exchanger material, chosen for its high thermal conductivity and effectiveness in heat transfer applications. The CFD simulations employed advanced numerical methods to accurately replicate heat transfer and flow dynamics, ensuring a precise representation of the physical processes occurring within the system. The numerical findings exhibited excellent agreement with experimental data, with deviations remaining below 2%, demonstrating the model’s reliability in capturing intricate heat transfer behaviors. Key outcomes of the study include the validation of energy conservation principles, accurate predictions of outlet temperatures for both hot and cold fluids, and an in-depth analysis of the interaction between flow and heat transfer under different operating conditions. These results emphasize the potential of CFD modeling for practical applications, such as optimizing tubular heat exchanger performance and exploring innovative design modifications. Additionally, the study highlights the significance of CFD as a powerful analytical tool for investigating thermal systems, offering a dependable framework for performance prediction, energy efficiency evaluation, and design optimization in heat exchanger technology. The findings contribute to advancing heat exchanger efficiency, supporting future research and technological developments in thermal system analysis and optimization.
Waware et al. (Tue,) studied this question.