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The paper presents numerical analysis of heat recovery exchanger, which operates as an indirect evaporative air cooler in summer conditions and as a typical heat recovery unit during winter season. The numerical simulation is performed with the original mathematical model which is able to simulate the operation during summer and winter season. The model was validated against existing experimental data (operation as indirect evaporative air cooler) and against experimental data collected by authors at Wroclaw University of Technology (operation as heat recovery exchanger). Obtained results allowed for analysis of heat and mass transfer process occurring in considered exchanger during round-year operation. The characteristic heat and mass transfer zones for evaporative air cooler and heat recovery exchanger were established. Results also allowed for analysis of most important problems connected with achieving highest efficiency of the exchanger and achieving safe operating conditions during winter season (preventing the exchanger from freezing). Safe operating conditions (parameters of the ambient air in winter which would guarantee that no frost would be formed on the plates) were established. The analysis of the effectiveness of the novel exchanger with selected factors (i.e. obtained cooling capacity, thermal efficiency and relative effectiveness) was also presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a disjunctive mathematical model for the optimal design of air cooled heat exchangers. The model involves seven discrete decisions which are related to the selection of the type of the finned tube, number of tube rows, number of tube per row, number of passes, fins per unit length, mean fin thickness and the type of the flow regime. Each discrete decision is modeled using disjunctions, boolean variables and logical propositions. The main continuous decisions are: fan diameter, bundle width, tube length, pressure drops and velocities in both sides of the ACHE, heat transfer area, fan power consumption. Then, the resulting generalized disjunctive programming model is reformulated as a mixed integer non-linear programming, implemented in GAMS (general algebraic modeling system) and solved using a branch-and-bound method. The proposed model was successfully verified by comparing the obtained output results with different designs taken from the literature. Then, the model is solved to obtain the optimal designs corresponding to the following optimization criteria: a) minimization the total annual cost which includes investment (heat transfer area) and operating cost (fan power consumption), b) minimization the heat transfer area and c) minimization the fan power consumption. Obtained optimal and sub-optimal designs are compared in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the mathematical modeling of vertical and horizontal GHEs (ground heat exchangers) and compares their efficiency. The model used calculates the heat flow in the fluid, tubes, grout and ground. The vertical U-tube GHE is represented by two 100 m lines, embedded in four different types of ground with an additional bottom base. The horizontal GHE consists of four 50 m tube lines embedded in three ground layers. The initial ground temperature for all cases examined matches real data acquired in June at a location in Cyprus and the simulation results for the vertical GHE are validated using measured data showing very good agreement. Further simulations with the vertical GHE show that when the initial ground temperature rises, the mean temperature of the GHE fluid increases proportionally. Comparisons between horizontal and vertical GHEs reveal that under the same operating conditions and center-to-center distances of the tubes, the vertical GHE keeps a much lower mean temperature. Simulations for a horizontal GHE, for a 50-h of continuous operation period and 24 °C initial ground temperature, show that the mean fluid temperature can remain lower than that of the vertical GHE if the center-to-center distance of the tubes increases to 1 m. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Waste heat recovery by means of a Rankine Cycle is a promising approach for achieving significant reductions in fuel consumption and, as a result, exhaust emissions of passenger car engines. This approach is already well established in industrial applications such as gas and steam power plants or ship propulsion systems. While these systems are mainly designed for stationary operation, the behaviour in highly dynamic operating conditions becomes more important when the principle is transferred to a passenger car engine. Knowledge of the dynamic response of the employed heat exchangers plays an important role in performance prediction and control system design of the steam cycle. Hence, a dynamic model of the exhaust gas heat exchanger employing the moving-boundary principle was developed and is presented in this paper. The model describes both design operation and the heat-up procedure of the component. For achieving high model accuracy in the resulting broad range of operating conditions, new approaches for modelling wall temperature distribution and zone switching were developed. Simulations of stationary operating points as well as the response to typical disturbances of the system’s input variables are in good agreement with test bench measurements. The model is used to develop a control system for dynamic operation on the test bench. Further studies of the operating characteristics reveal varying dynamic behaviour depending on the heat flow rate from exhaust gas to working fluid as well as coupling of evaporation pressure and outlet steam temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper a numerical model to analyze the thermal behaviour of vertical ground heat exchangers with a helical shaped pipe is presented. This type of configuration can be a suitable alternative to conventional ground heat exchangers, especially when the heating and cooling loads of the building are very low. The model describes the heat transfer problem by means of a network of interconnected thermal resistances and capacitances. Moreover, as the investigated ground heat exchanger is usually installed in shallow depth, the model takes into account the interaction between the ground and the ambient environment which affects the fluid heat carrier temperature into the heat exchanger and, as a consequence, the energy efficiency of the heat pump. After a sensitivity analysis on the mesh parameters, the presented model is compared with experimental data and the simulation results show good agreement with the measurements. Finally, analyses to investigate the influence of the weather conditions, of the axial heat transfer and of the pitch between the turns of the helical pipe for two types of ground are carried out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A dynamic evaporator model of air source heat pump (ASHP), considering the ratio of the latent heat to sensible heat of wet air, is presented to analyze the performance of ASHP under frosting. The performance parameters, such as the heating capacity, COP and the outlet temperature of compressor, are simulated with CYCLEPAD. Then a semi-empirical correlation that predicts frost accumulation on the air-side of fin-tube heat exchanger is developed with dimensionless analysis and also modified by a test conducted under cold-moist conditions in winter. In addition, eight influence factors are considered involving the ambient conditions and structures of heat exchanger, whose effects are analyzed as well. Among them, the equivalent diameter of air flow cross-section in fin-tube deq is especially proposed. Lastly, the relationships between the ratio, the performance parameters and the frost accumulation are discussed in this paper, followed by an evaluation of an optimal defrosting time interval to improve the ASHP’s energy efficiency and operational reliability at cold-moist conditions in central-south China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Improvement of the thermal performance of a solar air heater can be obtained by enhancing the rate of heat transfer. The thermal efficiency of double pass solar air heater is higher in comparison to single pass with the concept involved of doubling the heat transfer area without increase in the system cost. Numbers of studies have been carried out on the performance analysis of double pass solar air heater provided with heat transfer augmentation techniques viz. using extended surfaces, packed bed, corrugated absorber were reported in the literature and found more increase in the thermal efficiency in comparison to conventional double duct solar air heater. These studies includes the design of double pass solar air heater, heat transfer enhancement, flow phenomenon and pressure drop in duct. This paper presents an extensive study of the research carried out on double pass solar air heater. Based on the literature review, it is concluded that most of the studies carried out on double pass solar air heater integrated with porous media and extended surfaces. Few studies were carried out with corrugated absorber. Further no study has been reported so far on double pass solar air heater with absorber plate artificially roughened from both the sides. Mathematical models based on energy analysis of some configurations of solar air heater have been discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A number of design methods have been proposed for the retrofit of heat exchanger networks (HEN) during the last three decades. Although considerable potential for energy savings can be identified from conventional retrofit approaches, the proposed solutions have rarely been adopted in practice, due to significant topology modifications required and resulting engineering complexities during implementation. The intensification of heat transfer for conventional shell-and-tube heat exchangers can eliminate the difficulties of implementing retrofit in HEN which are commonly restricted by topology, safety and maintenance constraints, and includes high capital costs for replacing equipment and pipelines. This paper presents a novel design approach to solve HEN retrofit problems based on heat transfer enhancement. A mathematical model has been developed to evaluate shell-and-tube heat exchanger performances, with which heat-transfer coefficients and pressure drops for both fluids in tube and shell sides are obtained. The developed models have been compared with the Bell-Delaware, simplified Tinker and Wills–Johnston methods and tested with the HTRI® and HEXTRAN® software packages. This demonstrates that the new model is much simpler but can give reliable results in most cases. For the debottlenecking of HEN, four heuristic rules are proposed to identify the most appropriate heat exchangers requiring heat transfer enhancements in the HEN. The application of this new design approach allows a significant improvement in energy recovery without fundamental structural modifications to the network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effective temperature management is necessary for the safe and efficient operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Generally circulating coolant can be applied in removing the excess heat of the PEMFC whose electrical power exceeds 5 kW. So a coolant circuit modeling method and a temperature fuzzy control strategy are presented in the paper in order to keep the PEMFC within the ideal operation temperature range. Firstly, a coolant circuit mathematical model is developed, which includes a PEMFC thermal model, a water reservoir model, a water pump model, a bypass valve model, a heat exchanger model and a PEMFC electrochemical model. Secondly, the incremental fuzzy control with integrator technique is designed according to the established model and control experience rule. And the PEMFC temperature and circulating coolant inlet temperature are controlled by regulating the circulating coolant flux and bypass valve factor respectively. Finally, the established model and fuzzy controllers are simulated and analyzed in Matlab software, and the simulation results demonstrate that the incremental fuzzy controller with integrator can effectively control the PEMFC temperature and the inlet coolant temperature within their objective working ranges respectively. In addition, the modeling and control process are very concise, and they can be easily applied in various power classes PEMFC temperature control in real-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the energy and exergy analysis of single effect and series flow double effect water–lithium bromide absorption systems is presented. A computational model has been developed for the parametric investigation of these systems. Newly developed computationally efficient property equations of water–lithium bromide solution have been used in the computer code. The analysis involves the determination of effects of generator, absorber and evaporator temperatures on the energetic and exergetic performance of these systems. The effects of pressure drop between evaporator and absorber, and effectiveness of heat exchangers are also investigated. The performance parameters computed are coefficient of performance, exergy destruction, efficiency defects and exergetic efficiency. The results indicate that coefficient of performance of the single effect system lies in range of 0.6–0.75 and the corresponding value of coefficient of performance for the series flow double effect system lies in the range of 1–1.28. The effect of parameters such as temperature difference between heat source and generator and evaporator and cold room have also been investigated. Irreversibility is highest in the absorber in both systems when compared to other system components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The main functions of the heat-pump air conditioning system driven by gas engine (GEHPAC) are to maintain the room temperature and control the humidity of the room. In summertime, the air can be reheated by the waste heat water from the gas engine, while the air can be reheated and humidified by the waste heat water in winter. Reducing or displacing electrical heating requirements can achieve the greatest opportunity for significant energy savings. This paper, therefore, aims to improve the energy performance of the AC system by using the waste heat from the gas engine. The mathematical model for the second heat exchanger, the sprayed room, the mixed air, was used to research the GEHPAC. Explicitly, we investigated the influence of various factors including the outdoor air temperature and humidity in summer and winter. Results from the analysis show that the GEHPAC can save more energy than the electricity engine heat pump. The GEHPAC runs beautifully in part load mode. PERx is higher in winter than in summer. The maximum PERx is over 1.6 in summer, while over 1.9 in winter. The GEHP which can control the room humidity can be used in more areas than the common GEHP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]