Reviewing State-of-the-Art Exergy Analysis of Various Types of Heat Exchangers - Part 2: Plate, Cross Flow, and Other Heat Exchangers, Current Status and Challenges

The heat exchanger, a critical component in numerous processes across industrial and domestic sectors, plays a vital role in facilitating the exchange of thermal energy between different mediums. Its primary function is to enable the efficient redistribution of heat from systems with excess heat to those requiring it, thereby enhancing overall energy efficiency and contributing to environmental sustainability. Recent years have witnessed significant transformations in the global heat exchanger market, with manufacturers increasingly focusing on improving efficiency and performance. This study, following Part 1's examination of double-pipe and shell & tube heat exchangers, conducts a comprehensive review of scientific papers exploring the exergetic analysis of plate, cross-flow, and other heat exchanger types. The paper delves into the current status and challenges faced by this technology, presenting an exhaustive literature survey covering entropy generation, cumulative exergy destruction, nanofluids, geometric considerations, and the influence of two-phase fluids on the exergetic characteristics of heat exchangers. Moreover, the report elucidates how various optimization approaches impact the second law's efficiency. In addition to presenting the state-of-the-art advancements, the paper addresses the challenges associated with heat exchanger technology. Furthermore, the paper discusses potential future research directions and areas of improvement, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to address emerging challenges in the field of heat exchanger technology. In the realm of heat exchanger technology, challenges persist in enhancing efficiency, overcoming material constraints, addressing scalability issues, understanding complex two-phase flows, and minimizing environmental impact. Future research directions aim to explore advanced materials with superior properties, innovative geometries for optimal performance, integration with renewable energy sources, smart technologies for adaptive control, machine learning applications for predictive modeling, and the potential of miniaturization and microscale heat exchangers. These endeavors seek to propel the field towards greater efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability across various applications.