Research Article

Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: April 13, 2026
TR EN

Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery

Abstract

Context—More efficient energy use is of vital importance for reducing operational costs, environmental pollution and global warming. The rotary heat exchangers are widely employed in industrial applications and power engineering. Increasing size of the rotary heat exchanger leads to augmenting their heat transfer performance owing to higher heat transfer from them. But the large-scale heat exchangers elevate their expenses. Objective—To fill this gap, this paper aims to develop a novel method based on the P1-P2 and effectiveness (ε)-number of transfer units (NTU) methods for optimizing rotary heat exchanger area with the maximum savings. Method—The P1-P2 method is utilized in economic analysis of the heat exchanger. The ε -NTU method is a widely used technique in thermodynamics and heat transfer for analyzing and designing heat exchangers. This method provides a straightforward and efficient way to predict the performance of heat exchangers, making it an essential tool for engineers and researchers in the field. In the present study, the optimal heat exchanger area can be calculated by fixing certain variables to specific values and, thus eliminating them. In this way, optimal ε with optimal number of transfer units and payback period for maximum net overall life cycle savings (S) of the heat exchanger can be easily found for the most efficient rotary heat exchangers. Novel mathematical expressions containing thermodynamic and economical parameters including ε, NTU, heat capacity rate-ratio (Cr), S and payback period are developed and tested using MATLAB software. Results—The optimal heat transfer area per Cr is obtained as 3.015 m2 for rotary heat exchangers used waste heat recovery. Optimum NTU and ε values of the system are found as 15.075 and 0.867 for the optimal heat transfer area. The payback period is determined as 1.53 years. Conclusion—The findings indicate that the heat transfer area beyond the optimum point is not economically beneficial for operating the system, despite greater NTU and ε. The proposed correlations will be useful for researchers and designer focusing on enhancing thermo-economic performance of the rotary heat exchangers. A numerical study including effect of the environmental features on the proposed equations will be addressed in future research.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Optimization Techniques in Mechanical Engineering , Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering , Mechanical Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

April 13, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

January 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

February 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Söylemez, M. S., & Kaplan, M. (2026). Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.65206/pajes.1866934
AMA
1.Söylemez MS, Kaplan M. Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.65206/pajes.1866934
Chicago
Söylemez, M. Sait, and Mahmut Kaplan. 2026. “Thermo Economical Optimization of Rotary Heat Exchangers for Waste Heat Recovery”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.65206/pajes.1866934.
EndNote
Söylemez MS, Kaplan M (April 1, 2026) Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]M. S. Söylemez and M. Kaplan, “Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery”, Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.65206/pajes.1866934.
ISNAD
Söylemez, M. Sait - Kaplan, Mahmut. “Thermo Economical Optimization of Rotary Heat Exchangers for Waste Heat Recovery”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (April 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.65206/pajes.1866934.
JAMA
1.Söylemez MS, Kaplan M. Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026. doi:10.65206/pajes.1866934.
MLA
Söylemez, M. Sait, and Mahmut Kaplan. “Thermo Economical Optimization of Rotary Heat Exchangers for Waste Heat Recovery”. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, doi:10.65206/pajes.1866934.
Vancouver
1.M. Sait Söylemez, Mahmut Kaplan. Thermo economical optimization of rotary heat exchangers for waste heat recovery. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.65206/pajes.1866934