A CFD Study on a Nature-Inspired Heat Exchanger Design

This project presents a novel approach to heat exchanger design, exploring the application of fractal-like geometries to enhance heat transfer capabilities. The study begins with an acknowledgement of the support received and an abstract that introduces the core concept: mimicking natural fractal patterns to improve heat exchange efficiency. The project is structured into chapters, starting with an introduction to the background of heat exchangers, standards, and the rationale for redesign. A comprehensive literature review follows, delving into constructal theory, fractal-like networks, and their application to heat exchangers, including a discussion on fouling. The methodology chapter outlines the design of the fractal-like branching network, computational models, geometry, and the finite volume method used for analysis. It details the mesh setup and simulation parameters, including the turbulence models employed. The results and discussion chapter presents the findings for different branching levels (n=2 and n=3), followed by a conclusion summarizing the key outcomes and suggestions for further work. The project aims to determine the viability of transitioning to this new heat exchanger design through CFD analysis, comparing multiple designs with varying branching levels. The goal is to optimize heat transfer and minimize pressure drop, potentially leading to more efficient and compact heat exchangers.