EFFECTS OF GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS ON ENTROPY GENERATION IN FIRE-TUBE STEAM BOILER’S HEAT EXCHANGER

  • OLUMUYIWA LASODE
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • JOSEPH OYEKALE
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, P.M.B. 1221, EFFURUN, Nigeria
  • IDEHAI OHIJEAGBON
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • JOHN OLADEJI
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents a parametric study on fire-tube steam boilers’ heat exchanging unit using Entropy Generation Minimization (EGM) technique. Mathematical equation that models entropy generation rate (Ṡgen), and entropy generation number (Ns), were formulated. The entropy generation number was related to the geometric features of the system. Solving the equations showed the effects of each geometric feature on both pressure drop and Ns. Correlation equation relating dimensionless fire-tube length to dimensionless tube diameter was also obtained. The obtained correlation equation is a tool to be incorporated into fire-tube steam boiler design, so as to account for entropy generation during design.

Cuvinte cheie

entropy generation minimization heat exchanging unit geometric features