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Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the influence of vortex wirecoil generators with different pitch variations on heat transfer coefficients, pressure drop, and heat exchanger effectiveness. The method involves experiments with a prototype heat exchanger simulation utilizing exhaust gas from a genset engine to address carburetor freezing issues in aircraft with piston engines, with a parallel flow configuration. The solution proposed involves using vortex generators and shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Shell and tube heat exchangers aim to improve heat exchange efficiency because the fluid flow in the pipes bends, creating significant secondary flow and enhancing heat transfer. This study involves various tools and components, including steel wire as the vortex wirecoil generator with size variations of 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 cm. Other components consist of galvanized iron cells and copper tubes, as per the research plan. The research results indicate that pitch variations of wirecoil inserts in concentric pipes create turbulent flow that maximizes heat transfer to the air inside the cell. The 3.5 cm wirecoil yields the highest heat transfer coefficient U0 with an average value of 10.4. Additionally, adding variations of vortex wirecoil generators in concentric pipes increases the heat release from the hot fluid in the exhaust gas, enhancing heat exchanger effectiveness. The best effectiveness performance is achieved with a 2.5 cm wirecoil with an average value of 70.09.However, adding pitch variations of wirecoil inserts also disrupts the flow, changing it from laminar to turbulent, with the highest pressure drop occurring with the 3.5 cm wirecoil, with an average value of 17.89 Pa. These findings provide insights into improving efficiency and altering flow in heat exchangers through vortex wirecoil generator variations.