Understand, evaluate and develop solutions applying principles of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and thermal systems, based on knowledge in mathematical, engineering and natural sciences, using engineering judgment

Assessment deadline

Marks and feedback

To be submitted Before 11:30 p.m. on:

20 working days after deadline (L3,4, 5,6 and 7)

12/09/2025

15 working days after deadline (block delivery)

10/10/2025

Please note, for Exams the date is arranged centrally aligned to the academic calendar. Exams timetables will be released 6 weeks before the exam period. Please check the exams calendar regularly on this link (requires BREO login).

Key assignment details

Unit title & code

Applied Heat Transfer, Thermofluids and Computational Fluid Dynamics

Assignment number & title

1

Assignment type (including exams)

Coursework - Individual report

Weighting of assignment

100%

Size or length of assessment or exam duration

5000 word report (Approximately 10 pages)

Unit learning outcomes

1. Understand, evaluate and develop solutions applying principles of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and thermal systems, based on knowledge in mathematical, engineering and natural sciences, using engineering judgment, realising limitations of the employed solutions and optimise such solutions to minimise the negative impacts.

2. Select and use appropriate computational and analytical tools and methods to analyse and develop solutions for complex problems within heat transfer and thermofluids fields, based on advanced engineering design methodology, assessing the limitation of the solutions while considering a full lifecycle approach.

Shell size (Diameter)

90 mm

Tube outer diameter

20 mm

Tube bundle geometry and pitch Triangular

30 mm

Number of tubes

N_t = 7

Heat exchanger length

600 mm

Shell side inlet temperature

300 K

Shell inlet and out diameter

30 mm

3) Compare your findings in 1) and 2) above against the findings of Ender Ozden et. al.[1] and discuss any discrepancies.

4) You are expected to perform the CFD exercises outlined in this assignment in order to collect simulation data towards a research publication. Hence, read enough related research material and information outside this assignment brief.

References

You are required to submit evidence of your work in electronic format to the Module leader. This can be in the form of either a CD, or one drive folder or a flash memory. (Given that you are following the course online, Onedrive is the default method)

1) Ozden, Ilker Tari, Shell side CFD analysis of a small shell-and-tube heat exchanger, Energy Conversion and Management, Volume 51, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 1004-1014, ISSN 0196-8904, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2009.12.003.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890409005020) .

2) Piyush, Gupta & Sharma, Avdhesh & Raj, Kumar. (2019). Shell Side CFD Analysis of a Small Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger with Elliptical Tubes. International Journal of Performability Engineering. 15. 2294. 10.23940/ijpe.19.09.p2.22942304.

3) Barza, Tesfaye & Dejene, Mesay. (2023). Design and simulation of Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger (STHE) with the effect of Bafles using CFD-tool. Engineering and Technology Journal. 08. 10.47191/etj/v8i5.02.

4) Kishan, Ram and Singh, Devendra and Sharma, Ajay Kumar, CFD Analysis of Heat Exchanger Models Design Using ANSYS Fluent (February 18, 2020). International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 11(2), 2020, pp. 1-9, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3540077

5) https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/process-equipment/shell-and-tube-heat-exchangers/

Generate a Mesh: One can generate a good mesh for simulations following few prudent steps. These include creating a basic geometric shape and then using mesh generation tools to create a simplified mesh. One then needs to understand the areas that need fine resolution to capture salient fluid flow features.

ANSYS has a good mesh generation tool. Follow the tutorials to learn how to use this tool before attempting the assignment.

Perform CFD Calculations:

First, perform a 3-D CFD simulation of the heat exchanger. You may use the central vertical plane as your calculation domain for presenting results. Then, you are required to perform at least another 3D-CFD simulations using models and methods of your choice. (For example, Steady RANS simulation vs Unsteady RANS simulation.) You are required to justify choice giving due reference to past studies of similar nature. You are required to compare your results in a tabulated form as well as using appropriate graphs.

Analyse Results. You are required to analyse the flow field inside the heat exchanger, temperature field and the energy transfer highlighting salient features in aerodynamics and important fluid phenomena. You are expected to show a thorough understanding of the flow field and the underlying physics. Compare results from the simulation with suitable experimental measurements or analytical results obtained from literature (You are encouraged to find research papers. Use your library account get access to the material). You are expected to adjust necessary parameters (domain, mesh, turbulence model) within the CFD model so that good agreement is obtained with the results from your simulations in comparison with available experimental data or published CFD predictions by other researchers.

Your task in this assignment is to produce a report in a research paper format describing the flow field and heat transfer potential.

What do I need to do to pass? How do I achieve a good grade?

The Unit Information Form states the Threshold Expectations that inform both you and markers what is the minimum needed to be demonstrated to pass the assessment. They should, therefore, answer the question "What do I need to do pass?”. During the assessment introductory session, you should be given the opportunity to check your understanding of the threshold statements and what you need to do to surpass them.

The assessment marking criteria listed below show how your work is assessed. The assessment criteria are informed by the unit’s learning outcomes and the assessment task. Carefully reading the assessment criteria should help you understand the aspects that will be used to judge your progress and achievement of the learning outcomes and offer guidance on “how do I achieve a good grade”.

This assignment is an individual piece of work which tests your capabilities and skills in heat transfer, thermofluids and Computational Fluid Dynamics. You have been given the initial parameters to design the heat exchanger. Make assumptions to obtain missing information, if any. You are required to create your own mesh and perform CFD calculations. Use ANSYS (Fluent or CFX) for your calculations.

Assessment load: you are expected to spend 40 hours for preparation and 5 hours for the completion of the assignment. The student report should not exceed the equivalent of 5000 words (roughly 10 pages)

In order to pass this assignment (Assessment 1) you will need to:

• Understand the physics and configuration of the counter-flow heat exchanger.
• Create a geometry and an appropriate mesh
• Perform CFD calculations (at least using two methods/models)
• Validate of the models that you have used in the CFD exercise
• Compare your results with published data (measurements and simulations)

Produce a report. Make sure you give due reference to the governing equations of CFD whilst producing your report.

Demonstrate understanding of the concepts and their relevance to MSc level. Your mark will be influenced by your progress and detailed as followed:

TOTAL GRADE: 100

Report guidelines (number of words, deadline and presentation) 5 marks

Introduction of the project 5 marks

Theory and technical background and literature review 10 marks

Commentary about the project 15 marks

Methodology 15 marks

Simulations and calculations 20 marks

Results 10 marks

Discussion (Analysis of the results and improvements) 15 marks

Conclusion 5 marks

How does this assignment relate to ‘my learning in this unit and help me develop knowledge and skills that I will need for my future?

The scheduled classes are meant to teach the students the theory related to fulfilling the tasks in the assignment. Six hours of lab/computing time has been allocated to complete the simulation tasks. Students are meant to learn the software using the structured tutorials so that they are equipped to handle the problem in the assignment.

Within the University of Bedfordshire, graduate competencies refer to the skills, knowledge, attributes, and abilities that individuals are expected to possess upon completing their education at the graduate level. Our graduate competencies are the fundamental building blocks in preparing you for the future world of work. They form the foundation for learning outcomes within and beyond your course. They are relevant for every subject and you can work towards them in different ways, so that you can attain and benefit from them even if you have lots going on outside university. These competencies will be integrated across your course and units.

The table below indicates graduate competencies gained relevant to this assessment.

Graduate competencies; Tick (✔) ones relevant to this assessment (further guidance for staff Graduate competencies | University of Bedfordshire (beds.ac.uk)

Digital Literacy

✔

Collaboration and Communication

✔

Problem solving and critical thinking

✔

Creativity and Entrepreneurship

✔

Adaptability and Resilience

✔

Global Citizenship

✔

Course specific competencies.

Learning modelling (CFD) software

✔

What should I be aware of when preparing my and how and where should I submit my work? (May need wiseflow info for exams)

When submitting work for assessment, you must ensure that it is all your own work. Failure to do this could result in sanctions, including removal from your course. The Academic Integrity Resource (AIR) has been designed to introduce you to academic integrity and how to demonstrate this during your studies.

The University provides access to Studiosity that connects students with a team of writing specialists who are here to help you with writing and core skills - anytime, anywhere. Studiosity provides you with two online services: Writing Feedback and Connect Live. Their Writing Feedback gives feedback on referencing, choice of language, structure and spelling/grammar within 24 hours. If you are not sure how to use the feedback to enhance your work before making a final submission, you can arrange to discuss this with a member of the Study Hub team. Connect Live also offers live support in areas such as basic English, maths and stats, science and generic study skills. Both services are available 24/7, 365 days of the year, and you can access them for FREE via BREO.

For exams, you should familiarise yourself with the guidance information available here: https://www.beds.ac.uk/exams/ Practice exams can be taken for all exam types before exams week. Please see section Prepare for your exam.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

40-49%

(Pass)

Threshold standard

50-59%

(Pass)

60-69%

(Commendation)

70%+

(Distinction)

50 %

Solution

Solution sufficient to make some progress with addressing the problem, but not all features of the problem are included.

Solution

Solution is expressed in a good mathematical form including free body diagrams.

Solution

Model considers all the relevant details of the case study, and is expressed in a good mathematical form including free body diagrams.

Solution

Model considers all the relevant details of the case study, and is expressed in a good mathematical form including free body diagrams with accurate resuls obtained using CFD software

50 %

Report

Report includes the parts listed under “Deliverables”, but some are incomplete or of poor quality.

Report

An attractive report that explains what the problem is, how it can be addressed, and how the proposed solution will behave.

Report

An attractive report that explains what the problem is, how it can be addressed, and how the proposed solution will behave.

Report

An outstanding report, easy to read, well-structured and all (or most) solutions are correct.