Experimental investigation of the performance of silver nanofluid as a coolant in a helical shell and tube heat exchanger

Nanofluids, engineered fluids infused with nanoparticles, have emerged as promising coolants in heat exchanger systems, significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency. This study presents experimental investigations into the heat transfer capabilities of silver nanofluid within a helical shell and tube heat exchanger. The nanofluid was formulated using spherical silver nanoparticles, averaging 143 nm in diameter. The study systematically examined the effects of volumetric concentration and fluid flow rate on heat transfer performance. The results unequivocally demonstrated that introducing silver nanoparticles into the base fluid substantially improved the heat transfer coefficient. The most significant enhancement was observed at a fraction of 2.5% nanoparticle volume, where the heat transfer coefficient surged by an impressive 32% compared to water. Furthermore, there was a direct correlation between the heat transfer coefficient and increasing fluid flow rate. These findings underscore the potential of silver nanofluid as a high-performance coolant for heat exchanger applications. Utilizing such nanofluids promises to advance thermal performance and energy efficiency substantially. Notable highlights from this study include the nanofluid outperforming water-based cooling by 10–15% and a numerical model projecting a remarkable 22% improvement in heat exchanger effectiveness when using the nanofluid coolant. In summary, this research sheds light on the transformative role of silver nanofluids in optimizing heat transfer processes, with tangible benefits for various engineering applications.