Exergic performance of plate evaporator coated with nanoparticles for fish preservation

A theoretical analysis is conducted using a nano-coated plate evaporator surface for fish preservation. Copper and alumina nanoparticles mixed with the base material (Steel) are considered for the evaporator material. Different brines (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, potassium acetate, and calcium chloride) act as secondary refrigerants. Various performance parameters (pumping power, exergy rate change, irreversibility, exergic efficiency, non-dimensional exergy, and irreversibility distribution ratio) based assessment has been performed. The maximum percentage reduction in non-dimensional exergy and irreversibility, and maximum percentage rise in exergy rate change, irreversibility distribution ratio, and exergic efficiency have been acquired for propylene glycol brine. The pumping power decreased by 2.5% for alumina-copper hybrid nanoparticle-based material. The irreversibility and non-dimensional exergy have been reduced by 1.5%, whereas the exergy change rate, exergic efficiency, and irreversibility distribution ratio enhanced by 0.5%, 0.5%, and 2.5%, respectively, for PG brine (percentage-wise). The study reveals that the surface coated with nanoparticles provides better exergic performance.