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Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "J: Thermal Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 November 2025 | Viewed by 4234

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: boiling; condensation; heat transfer; microchannel; numerical simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of New Energy, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Interests: heat transfer enhancement; PCHE; numerical simulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heat transfer is the main process which is encountered in energy utilization fields, such as power plants, air conditioning, renewable energy utilization, thermal management, et al. Experimental and numerical methods have been adopted to study the characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer in this field. Recently, some new insights into heat transfer mechanisms and new methods to enhance heat transfer of single- and multi-phase flows have been discovered. This special issue expects to provide a platform in the area of flow and heat transfer in the energy utilization fields. The scope of the special issue includes all aspects of theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations of fluid flow dynamics and heat transfer.

In this Special Issue on "Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications", we welcome review articles and original research papers, fundamental or applied, theoretical, numerical, or experimental investigations on fluid flow dynamics and heat transfer phenomenon.

Dr. Jingzhi Zhang
Dr. Linghong Tang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • electrical equipment cooling
  • thermal management
  • heat sinks
  • heat exchangers
  • heat pipes
  • heat transfer enhancement
  • mini/micro channels
  • multiphase flows boiling
  • condensation
  • microfluidics
  • droplets
  • numerical simulations
  • MD simulation
  • flow patterns
  • pressure drops
  • supercritical fluid
  • phase change material
  • heat storage

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3482 KiB  
Article
Development and Performance Evaluation of Central Pipe for Middle-Deep Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
by Xiong Zhang, Ziyan Zhao, Zhengrong Guan, Jiaojiao Lv and Lu Cui
Energies 2025, 18(14), 3713; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143713 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 221
Abstract
In this study, the optimal design of the central pipe in a middle-deep geothermal heat pump (MD-GHP) system is studied using the response surface method to improve the system’s coefficient of performance (COP) and operational reliability. Firstly, a model describing the energy transfer [...] Read more.
In this study, the optimal design of the central pipe in a middle-deep geothermal heat pump (MD-GHP) system is studied using the response surface method to improve the system’s coefficient of performance (COP) and operational reliability. Firstly, a model describing the energy transfer and conversion mechanisms of the MD-GHP system, incorporating unsteady heat transfer in the central pipe, is established and validated using field test data. Secondly, taking the inner diameter, wall thickness, and effective thermal conductivity of the central pipe as design variables, the effects of these parameters on the COP of a 2700 m deep MD-GHP system are analyzed and optimized via the response surface method. The resulting optimal parameters are as follows: an inner diameter of 88 mm, a wall thickness of 14 mm, and an effective thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/(m·K). Based on these results, a composite central pipe composed of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), silica aerogels, and glass fiber tape is designed and fabricated. The developed pipe achieves an effective thermal conductivity of 0.13 W/(m·K) and an axial tensile force of 29,000 N at 105 °C. Compared with conventional PE and vacuum-insulated pipes, the composite central pipe improves the COP by 11% and 7%, respectively. This study proposes an optimization-based design approach for central pipe configuration in MD-GHP systems and presents a new composite pipe with enhanced thermal insulation and mechanical performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications)
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14 pages, 2432 KiB  
Article
Charge Reduction and Performance Analysis of a Heat Pump Water Heater Using R290 as a Refrigerant—A Field Study
by Ahmed Elatar, Joseph Rendall, Jian Sun, Jamieson Brechtl and Kashif Nawaz
Energies 2025, 18(14), 3661; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143661 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are a proven technology for water heating that has been commercialized. The adoption of HPWHs for domestic and commercial water heating is growing rapidly because of their superior performance compared with alternative water heating methods. Whereas most existing [...] Read more.
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are a proven technology for water heating that has been commercialized. The adoption of HPWHs for domestic and commercial water heating is growing rapidly because of their superior performance compared with alternative water heating methods. Whereas most existing systems use R-134a as a working refrigerant, R290 has gained major attention owing to its superior thermodynamic properties. The goal of the current study is to assess the performance of residential HPWH with R290 as a direct refrigerant replacement for R134a. Two units of a 50 gal HPWH were used in this experimental study. A baseline unit contained R134a refrigerant, and a prototype unit contained R290 refrigerant. The prototype unit was developed through the modification of a commercially available HPWH unit to achieve a low charge of R290 refrigerant. Another major modification was the replacement of the baseline compressor with a compressor designed for R290. Tests were conducted in a field environment (a research and demonstration house) using programmed drawn profiles daily. The prototype that reduced the charge by 43–47% provided displayed performance comparable to the baseline unit regarding first-hour rating (FHR) and the uniform energy factor (UEF). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications)
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11 pages, 8517 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Water Injection and Heat Recovery Potential of Abandoned Oil Wells Transformed into Geothermal Wells in Northern Shaanxi
by Huagui Yu, Shi Liu, Yanyan Pang, Peng Wang and Qian Gao
Energies 2025, 18(3), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030551 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 691
Abstract
The Chang 2 bottom water reservoir area in the western part of northern Shaanxi constitutes one of the key oil-producing regions within the Ordos Basin. A principal reservoir here is the Triassic Yanchang Formation’s Chang 2 reservoir, which is characterized by favorable physical [...] Read more.
The Chang 2 bottom water reservoir area in the western part of northern Shaanxi constitutes one of the key oil-producing regions within the Ordos Basin. A principal reservoir here is the Triassic Yanchang Formation’s Chang 2 reservoir, which is characterized by favorable physical properties, dynamic edge and bottom water activity, and a high geothermal gradient. This study employs the STARS module of the CMG reservoir numerical simulation software to model water intake and heat recovery processes in the target region. It analyzes the heat recovery rate and efficiency of three water production methods—direct water extraction, four-injection–one-production, and one-injection–four-production—under varying injection pressures. The results indicate that direct water extraction from the bottom water reservoir is challenging. However, the annual heat recovery per well for the four-injection–one-production and one-injection–four-production methods equates to a standard coal production ranging between 190 and 420 tons, suggesting that there is significant potential for water injection and heat recovery in the Chang 2 reservoir in the western part of northern Shaanxi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications)
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21 pages, 9853 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Efficiency and Inter-Layer Stress of Microchannel Heat Sinks with Different Geometries
by Fangqi Liu, Lei Jia, Jiaxin Zhang, Zhendong Yang, Yanni Wei, Nannan Zhang and Zhenlin Lu
Energies 2024, 17(20), 5076; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17205076 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1286
Abstract
As electronics become more powerful and compact, laminated microchannel heat sinks (MCHSs) are essential for handling high heat flux. This study aims to optimize the MCHS design for improved heat dissipation and structural strength. An orthogonal experiment was established with the average surface [...] Read more.
As electronics become more powerful and compact, laminated microchannel heat sinks (MCHSs) are essential for handling high heat flux. This study aims to optimize the MCHS design for improved heat dissipation and structural strength. An orthogonal experiment was established with the average surface temperature of the heat source as the evaluation metric, and the optimal structure was determined through simulation. Finally, cooling uniformity, fluidity, and performance evaluation criterion (PEC) analyses were carried out on the optimal structure. It was determined that the optimal combination was the triangular cavity microchannel (MCTC), with a microchannel width of 0.5 mm, a microchannel distribution density of 60%, and the presence of surface undulation on the microchannels. The result shows that the optimal structure’s peak inter-layer stress is just 34.8% of its longitudinal tensile strength. Compared to the traditional parallel straight microchannel (MCPS), this structure boasts an 8.6 K decrease in the average surface temperature and a temperature variation along specific paths that is only 9.9% of that in traditional designs. Moreover, the optimal design cuts the velocity loss at the microchannel entrance from 75% to 59%. Thus, this research successfully develops an effective optimization strategy for MCHSs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications)
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15 pages, 4571 KiB  
Article
Study on Leakage and Diffusion Behavior of Liquid CO2 Vessel in CCES
by Lin Gao, Jinlong Wang, Song Wu, Xuan Liu, Binfei Zhu and Yuguang Fan
Energies 2024, 17(15), 3613; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153613 - 23 Jul 2024
Viewed by 821
Abstract
Numerical simulations of the leakage and diffusion behavior of liquid CO2 vessels and security analyses were conducted in this paper, based on a CO2 compression energy storage system. With isentropic choking model, the leakage of vessels under specific conditions was numerically [...] Read more.
Numerical simulations of the leakage and diffusion behavior of liquid CO2 vessels and security analyses were conducted in this paper, based on a CO2 compression energy storage system. With isentropic choking model, the leakage of vessels under specific conditions was numerically simulated. The influence of different wind speeds on leakage in near-zone field was studied. Meanwhile, the diffusion characteristics of CO2 under three different influencing factors were investigated with the UDM (Unified Dispersion Model) diffusion model, and the diffusion ranges of certain concentrations were detected in the far-zone field. The results show that the low-temperature zone of the 50 mm leak aperture can reach 0.74 m downwind, and basically does not change with wind speed. In the leakage direction, the maximum damage zone of high-speed flow can reach 7.70 m. For the far-zone field, the diffusion area and downwind distance of a dangerous concentration decrease with the increasing of wind speed, and the hazardous area of the low concentration is greatly affected. Based on specific conditions, the maximum diffusion area is 78.46 m2 at 1 m/s wind speed, and the dangerous range reaches 36.32 m downwind. The larger the leakage aperture, the faster the growth trend of the low concentration area under the same conditions. As the equivalent radius of the leakage aperture is less than 50 mm, the maximum diffusion area is proportional to the cubic of the leakage aperture radius. The higher the height of the leakage source, the smaller the concentration range at 1.5 m, which is the average human breathing height. The overall cloud moves upward, meaning that the ground risk decreases. When the leakage aperture is 50 mm and the wind speed is 1 m/s, the maximum cloud diffusion range is 857.35 m2 at the leakage height of 2 m, and the dangerous range reaches 109.53 m downwind, where the maximum concentration is 14.65%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heat Transfer and Fluid Flows for Industry Applications)
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