Learning Forum

[António Oliveira]

I'm trying to design a flow through water heater, where an energy source of around 35 W/cm2 is applied to the outer surface of the pipe. In this case, this heater needs to supply around 30 kW, and it can't be longer than 200mm (required), so it has to comply with measurements regarding the diameter and length of the tube. One of the solutions I've thought of is to apply a spiral inside the pipe in order to increase the path the water needs to travel (Flow rate = 20L/min). This water must have a temperature difference of more than 60ºC from the inlet to the outlet. 

First Option (Single Pipe): Diameter: 70mm; Length: 200cm 

Second Option: Diameter (Double Pipe): 50mm; Length: 400cm 

I have run simulations in Ansys for different types of spiral increments, from 7mm (visible in the images)  to 17mm, but no solution manages to exceed a difference of 30ºC.

 

Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Rob]

Go through the various courses in Learning and also the tutorials in Fluent's Help. That will cover the basics of what can be modelled. From there you can figure out what you actually need to model.