TY - JOUR
TI - The 3-D investigation of baffle rotation effects on heat transfer performance in counterflow heat exchangers
AU - Bakir Basma
AU - Aliouane Imane
AU - Menni Younes
AU - Bayram Mustafa
AU - Ikumapayi Omolayo M
AU - Bayode Abiodun
AU - Ting Tin Tin
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2025
VL - 29
IS - 4
SP - 3113
EP - 3121
PT - Article
AB - This study numerically investigates the thermal and hydraulic performance of  a 3-D counterflow heat exchanger equipped with internal baffles under  laminar flow conditions. The finite element method is employed to simulate  the effects of baffle rotation angle (θ = 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60°) and  Reynolds number (Re = 500-2000). The heat exchanger consists of two adjacent  rectangular channels separated by a thin aluminum wall, with hot and cold  water flowing in opposite directions. Key performance indicators, velocity,  pressure drop, temperature difference, ΔT, and thermal efficiency, are  evaluated for both fluid streams. Results reveal that increasing the baffle  rotation angle enhances thermal performance up to an optimal point (θ =  30°), beyond which further increases reduce heat transfer due to weaker flow  disturbances. Conversely, pressure drop decreases steadily with higher  baffle angles, with the lowest resistance observed at θ = 60°. The Reynolds  number strongly affects both thermal and hydraulic behavior, with higher  values resulting in lower ΔT and efficiency due to shorter residence times.