2Mechanical Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Blida, Blida, 09000, Algeria
Abstract
This study investigates the thermal and fluid dynamics performance of scraped surface heat exchangers, optimizing key operational parameters to enhance heat transfer efficiency in processing viscous fluids. Using a numerical approach, the effects of blade count, rotational speed, and mass flow rate were analyzed. Results indicate that increasing blade count improves convective heat transfer, with a four-blade configuration enhancing the Nusselt number by 44.74% over a two-blade setup at 240 rpm. Higher rotational speeds reduce outlet temperatures by intensifying fluid mixing, though diminishing returns occur at very high speeds due to shorter residence times. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing scraped surface heat exchanger design to balance thermal performance and energy efficiency, addressing critical needs in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

