Geothermics, Vol.62, 70-78, 2016
Experimental assessment the liquid/solid fluidized bed heat exchanger of thermal performance.: An application
This study was realized to eliminate the problems that occurred in Kizildere geothermal field Saraykoy district heating systems. Geothermal fluid which is used in heating systems causes surface fouling and scaling shaped as intense corrosion and buffer brush over the plate type heat exchanger which transfers heat. This formation complicates the transfer of heat and fluid permeability. In order to eliminate this situation, the heat exchangers are cleaned while being stopped or a spare part is used. This causes an interruption in heating and increases the operation costs. In order to solve this problem, an experimental study was carried out about the determination of usability of liquid/solid fluidized bed heat exchanger instead of the plate type heat exchanger and optimum operation conditions. Silica sand as solid particles (2-4mm), marble (2-5) and quartz (1.2-2.5 mm) sized materials were used in order to determine the advantages of preventing the increase of heat exchanger which will be provided by a liquid/solid fluidized bed heat exchange mechanism or a decrease of scaling. In this research, the usage of a liquid/solid fluidized bed heat exchanger (FBHE) instead of the plate type heat exchanger was considered proper and the best particle type is silica sand, the thermal performance increased 14.9% compared to the plate type heat exchanger in the same operation conditions. As an addition to the literature, (Re-p)(cr) value was determined in order to determine the particle flow conditions in bed and corresponding correlations were derived for the heat transfer greatness. The results obtained from the research were submitted according to the particle type in graphical and correlation situations. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Liquid/solid fluidized bed heat exchanger;Heat transfer;Thermal performance;Geothermal energy;District heating system