[22] THE IMPACT OF HEAT EXCHANGER DESIGN ON TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION AND HEAT TRANSFER RATE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW : ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: Mar 28, 2026, Revised: Apr 10, 2026, Accepted: Apr 14, 2026, CrossRef d.o.i : https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i4.2026.263-271. How To Cite: Shailandra Kumar Prasad & Ashwini Kumar (2026). The Impact of Heat Exchanger Design on Temperature Distribution and Heat Transfer Rate: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews. 5(4). 263-271.

Dr. Shailandra Kumar Prasad; Dr. Ashwini Kumar

Authors

Dr. Shailandra Kumar Prasad Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and IT, ARKA JAIN University,Jharkhand-832108, India.
Dr. Ashwini Kumar Assistant Dean, School of Engineering and IT, ARKA JAIN University, Jharkhand-832108, India.

Abstract

Heat exchangers play a crucial role in modern thermal systems by enabling efficient heat transfer between fluids at different temperatures. Their performance significantly influences energy efficiency in industries such as power generation, chemical processing, refrigeration, and HVAC systems. The design parameters of heat exchangers—including geometry, flow configuration, baffle design, tube arrangement, and surface enhancement— strongly affect temperature distribution and heat transfer rate. This review paper investigates the influence of heat exchanger design on thermal performance and highlights recent developments in optimization techniques and predictive modeling. Particular emphasis is placed on shell-and-tube heat exchangers due to their widespread industrial application. The review also discusses modern design improvements such as helical baffles, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, and artificial intelligencebased prediction models. Studies by Prasad and Sinha (2023a; 2023b) demonstrate the potential of optimization algorithms and neural networks in enhancing heat transfer while reducing pressure drop. Through a systematic review of previous studies, this paper identifies the key factors affecting heat exchanger performance and outlines future research directions for improving thermal efficiency and energy sustainability.