Effectiveness Test of a Cross-Flow Air Cooler Heat Exchanger (Steady State)

Muchammad; Muhammad Tafarel Firjatullah; Budi Setiyana

doi:https://doi.org/10.47001/ICJES/2025.410002

Authors

Muchammad

Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Jl. Prof. H. Soedarto, SH, Tembalang-Semarang 50275, Indonesia

Muhammad Tafarel Firjatullah

Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Jl. Prof. H. Soedarto, SH, Tembalang-Semarang 50275, Indonesia

Budi Setiyana

Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Jl. Prof. H. Soedarto, SH, Tembalang-Semarang 50275, Indonesia

Abstract

Heat exchangers are widely used in various industrial installations, including boilers, condensers, coolers, and cooling towers. In vehicles, the radiator essentially functions as a heat exchanger. The purpose of heat transfer in industrial processes includes heating or cooling fluids to achieve specific heat levels that meet the requirements for subsequent processes making it essential to conduct research to develop more efficient heat exchangers. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of an air cooler heat exchanger with a constant hot water temperature (steady state) at maximum, and the impact of varying pump and fan flow rates on its performance. The research method was experimental, using an air cooler heat exchanger with water flow rates of 0 L/min, 2.5 L/min, and 5 L/min, and air speeds of 1.8 m/s, 2.7 m/s, and 3.6 m/s. Observations included monitoring the air temperature exiting the fan, controlling the time until steady state conditions were achieved. The experimental results showed that the best effectiveness was 0,608696, and the best efficiency was 96%. These optimal results were obtained when the air cooler heat exchanger was operated with a water flow rate of 5 L/min and an air speed of 1.8 m/s. This operational condition is considered the best because the high water flow rate increases the cooling capacity, and the low air speed provides sufficient contact time between the air and the heat exchanger surface.

Keywords

efficiency effectiveness air velocity water flow rate heat exchanger

Citation of this Article

Muchammad, Muhammad Tafarel Firjatullah, & Budi Setiyana. (2025). Effectiveness Test of a Cross-Flow Air Cooler Heat Exchanger (Steady State). International Current Journal of Engineering and Science (ICJES), 4(10), 5-10. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.47001/ICJES/2025.410002

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[2] R. R. Amrozi, S. Udjiana, and Y. Yuliman, “Evaluasi Kinerja Heat Exchanger Pada Gas Cooler Unit Co2 Liquid Plant,” DISTILAT J. Teknol. Separasi, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 111–117, 2023, doi: 10.33795/distilat.v8i1.299.

[3] H. M. Maghrabie et al., “Intensification of heat exchanger performance utilizing nanofluids,” Int. J. Thermofluids, vol. 10, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ijft.2021.100071.

[4] P. Blecich, A. Trp, and K. Lenić, “Thermal performance analysis of fin-and-tube heat exchangers operating with airflow nonuniformity,” Int. J. Therm. Sci., vol. 164, no. January, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2021.106887.

[5] D. Zheng, J. Yang, J. Wang, S. Kabelac, and B. Sundén, “Analyses of thermal performance and pressure drop in a plate heat exchanger filled with ferrofluids under a magnetic field,” Fuel, vol. 293, no. November 2020, pp. 1–9, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2021.120432.

[6] S. Kallannavar, S. Mashyal, and M. Rajangale, “Effect of tube layout on the performance of shell and tube heat Exchangers,” Mater. Today Proc., vol. 27, pp. 263–267, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.10.151.

[7] D. Irawan, M. Wibowo, and Z. Anggara, “Pengaruh Jumlah Tube dan Baffles Terhadap Efektivitas Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger,” Semin. Nas. Penelit. dan Pengabdi. Kpd. Masy. Univ. Muhammadiyah Metro Indones., vol. 2, pp. 254–264, 2020.

[8] M. Ikhsan Kamil and D. Agustina Sari, “Komparasi Desain Alat Penukar Panas Tipe Air-Cooled,” J. Teknol., vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 180–186, 2023, doi: 10.34151/jurtek.v16i2.4512.

[9] K. B. Rohito, K. R. Dantes, and I. N. P. Nugraha, “Rancang Bangun Air Cooler Dengan Menggunakan Modul Termoelektrik Peltier Type Tec-12706,” J. Pendidik. Tek. Mesin Undiksha, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 122–128, 2019, doi: 10.23887/jptm.v7i3.26516.

[10] Z. Fakhri, A. Daelami, Bayudin, and A. Charisma, “Sistem Pengaturan Pendingin Ruangan dengan Menggunakan Thermoelectric dan Blower Motor Direct Current,” J. Tek. Media Pengemb. Ilmu dan Apl. Tek., vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 84–94, 2022, doi: 10.55893/jt.vol21no1.430.