Enhanced effectiveness with positive Joule–Thomson pressure drop effects on a cryogenic heat exchanger with three fluid-two communications
International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow
ISSN: 0961-5539
Article publication date: 9 August 2021
Issue publication date: 19 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to attain higher effectiveness with an introduction of Joule–Thomson effect on a three-fluid heat exchanger with two communications. It also gives a range of parameter values that have to be maintained for achieving effectiveness above 0.85. Attaining effectiveness above 0.85 is very important for the heat exchanger to perform the liquefaction of hot fluid.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is conducted using Galerkin’s method, a finite element approach.
Findings
This investigation determines crucial values for the cryogenic heat exchanger to achieve effectiveness above 0.85. The important findings are as follows: effectiveness above 0.85 is attained if the heat exchanger size is within the range of 8–10; ratio of heat flow resistance between intermediate and hot stream to heat flow resistance between cold and hot stream should be maintained between 1 and 10; the intermediate fluid temperature should be maintained between 0 and 0.2; the ratio of thermal capacity of the hot fluid relative to a cold fluid should be maintained between 1.25 and 1.42; and the ratio of thermal capacity of the hot fluid relative to an intermediate fluid should be maintained between 2 and 2.5.
Research limitations/implications
The investigation has presented a finding for improving the effectiveness of the cryogenic heat exchanger. Higher the Joule–Thomson pressure drop effect, more is the drop in temperature of the fluid resulting in additional cooling or lowering of the fluid temperature. The practical implementation is also explained, i.e. to achieve practically the Joule–Thomson pressure drop in a cryogenic heat exchanger.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no investigations were carried out previously on Joule–Thomson investigation on a three-fluid heat exchanger with two communications, for different values of Joule–Thomson pressure drop.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Bangalore Institute of Technology for all its support, providing the necessary facilities to carry out the research. The author Chodankar Vishnudas Alias Vipul Luvu wish to thank his parents – Lohu V. Chodoncar and Vrashali L. C. – for motivating him to continue his research. He also extends thanks to the Management, Principal – Dr Manjusha Deshmukh, and the Head of Automobile Department –Quazi Taquiuddin Z. of Saraswati College of Engineering, Navi-Mumbai, for the support by providing the required leave to carry out the research. He also thanks his colleagues Amit V. Patil and Sagar Khatavkar for adjusting the required lectures during the research.
Conflict of interest statement: On behalf of all the authors, the corresponding author Vishnudas Alias Vipul Luvu Chodankar states that there is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Chodankar, V.A.V.L., , A. and Seetharamu, K.N. (2022), "Enhanced effectiveness with positive Joule–Thomson pressure drop effects on a cryogenic heat exchanger with three fluid-two communications", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 32 No. 5, pp. 1778-1792. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-03-2021-0189
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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