Numerical study of 3d thermal-flow in a scraped surface heat exchanger
1Mechanical Department, Faculty of Technology, University Med Boudiaf, M’sila, 28000, Algeria; LESEI Laboratory, Avenue Chahid Boukhlouf Med Elhadi, 05000 Batna, Algeria
2Mechanical Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Blida, Blida, 09000, Algeria
J Ther Eng - DOI: 10.14744/thermal.0001061

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.