Análise de eficiência de trocadores de calor baseado em superfícies mínimas triplamente periódicas (TPMS)

Abstract

This study aims to address the efficiency of compact heat exchangers, focusing on the comparison between those based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) and conventional water coolers. TPMS have received increasing attention in heat transfer research due to their unique properties that allow for an increase in the available surface area for thermal exchange, leading to a significant enhancement in the performance of heat exchangers. The search for more efficient and sustainable cooling systems has driven the exploration of innovative approaches such as TPMS. To achieve the proposed objective, numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental analyses were employed. Additionally, the study considered the use of graphene nanofluid, a promising substance to enhance heat transfer. The results of simulations and experiments allowed for a direct comparison of the performance between conventional water coolers and TPMS, highlighting the role of graphene nanofluid in thermal efficiency. Among the main findings, it was observed that TPMS exhibit a significant pressure drop, which refers to the reduction in fluid pressure as it passes through the interior of TPMS structures. This can negatively impact the performance of heat exchangers. Therefore, for practical application of TPMS, it becomes essential to develop optimization strategies to minimize this undesired effect. Furthermore, the study revealed that graphene nanofluid demonstrated remarkable efficiency in heat transfer under certain experimental conditions, outperforming distilled water, which was used as the reference fluid. This result suggests the possibility of harnessing the properties of graphene in future heat exchanger applications, opening the way for further research and developments in the field. However, it is important to note that the study was conducted using only distilled water as the test fluid, limiting the representativeness of the results for other applications involving different fluids. Therefore, there is a research gap concerning the experimental validation of TPMS with other fluids, an area that can be explored in future works. In summary, this research contributes to the advancement of knowledge in thermal efficiency of compact heat exchangers and highlights the importance of TPMS as a promising approach to improve heat transfer. The results also point to the need for further studies focusing on TPMS optimization and practical application of graphene in heat exchangers, aiming to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of these systems in various engineering and technological applications.