CFD simulation for the effect of the header match on the flow distribution in a central-type parallel heat exchanger

2011 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pok-Wang Kwan ◽

David R. H. Gillespie ◽

Rory D. Stieger ◽

Andrew M. Rolt

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Flow Distribution ◽

Design Guidelines ◽

Turbofan Engine ◽

Aerodynamic Loss ◽

Pressure Distributions ◽

Cold Fluid ◽

Core Concepts ◽

Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd

An intercooled turbofan engine has been proposed within NEWAC (New Aero Engine Core Concepts, an European Sixth Framework Programme) using lightweight heat exchangers. The requirement for compactness has led to the need for zigzag heat exchanger arrangement where the heat exchanger matrices are inclined to the cooling flows approaching them, but such an arrangement creates non-uniform mass flows through the cold fluid side intercooler ducting and the intercooler heat exchanger matrices. Design guidelines aimed at minimizing aerodynamic losses caused by the flow mal-distribution in such ducting is reported. Minimising the loss has the effect of optimising the heat transfer performance. Flow velocities and pressure distributions were measured experimentally in a simplified model of a heat exchanger and simulated in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Good agreement was found between measurement and predictions of the flow distribution in the cold fluid side intercooler ducting downstream of the heat exchanger matrices. A dominant jetting flow in the centre of each exit passage was identified as a source of aerodynamic loss. The CFD simulation has also shown that the main source of aerodynamic loss arises from the severe flow mal-distribution within the heat exchanger matrices. From these results, design guidelines are presented in this paper for the ducting, based on CFD studies on a series of simplified heat exchanger arrangement geometries.

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CFD simulation for flow distribution in manifolds of central-type compact parallel flow heat exchangers

Applied Thermal Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.07.194 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 126 ◽

pp. 670-677 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jian Zhou ◽

Zhongning Sun ◽

Ming Ding ◽

Haozhi Bian ◽

Nan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchangers ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Flow Distribution ◽

Parallel Flow ◽

Central Type ◽

Flow Heat

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Numerical investigation of flow distribution in tubular space of fin-and-tube heat exchanger

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201824002011 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 240 ◽

pp. 02011

Author(s):

Tomasz Stelmach

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Numerical Investigation ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Tube Bundle ◽

Cross Flow ◽

Flow Distribution ◽

Volumetric Flow Rate ◽

Tube Heat Exchanger ◽

Ansys Cfx ◽

Measurement Results

This paper presents the experimental and numerical investigation of flow distribution in the tubular space of cross-flow fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The tube bundle with two rows arranged in staggered formation is considered. A standard heat exchanged manifold, with inlet nozzle pipe located asymmetrically is considered. The outlet nozzle pipe is located in the middle of the outlet manifold. A developed experimental setup allows one to measure volumetric flow rate in heat exchanger tubes using the ultrasonic flowmeters. The measurement results are then compared with CFD simulation in ANSYS CFX code using the SSG Reynolds Stress turbulence model, and a good agreement is found for tube Re numbers varied from 1800 to 3100.

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CFD Simulation on Flow Distribution in Plate-Fin Heat Exchangers

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.655-657.445 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 655-657 ◽

pp. 445-448

Author(s):

Zhe Zhang ◽

Jin Jin Tian ◽

Yong Gang Guo

Keyword(s):

Fluid Flow ◽

Heat Exchanger ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Perforated Plate ◽

Flow Distribution ◽

Numerical Results ◽

Flow Maldistribution ◽

The Mathematical Model ◽

First Time ◽

Flow Nonuniformity

The influences of the conventional header configuration used in industry at present on the fluid flow distribution in plate-fin heat exchanger were numerically investigated. The numerical results showed that the fluid flow maldistribution is very serious in the heat exchanger. The header configuration with perforated plate was brought forward for the first time. The computational results indicated that the improved header configuration can effectively improve the performance of fluid flow distribution in the heat exchanger. The fluid flow distribution for the header configuration with curving perforated plate is more uniform than for the header configuration with plane perforated plate. The absolute degree of fluid flow nonuniformity in plate-fin heat exchanger has reduced from 3.47 to 0.32 by changing the header configuration. The numerical results are compared with the experimental results. They are basically consistent which indicates that the mathematical model and the calculating method are reliable.

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Numerical and experimental study of flow distribution in tubular space of fin-and-tube heat exchanger with modified inlet manifold

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201824002010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 240 ◽

pp. 02010

Author(s):

Tomasz Stelmach

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Tube Bundle ◽

Cross Flow ◽

Flow Distribution ◽

Volumetric Flow Rate ◽

Tube Heat Exchanger ◽

Experimental Stand ◽

Inlet Manifold

This paper presents the experimental and numerical investigation of flow distribution in the tubular space of cross-flow fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The tube bundle with two rows arranged in staggered formation is considered. A modified heat exchanged manifold, with inlet nozzle pipe located asymmetrically is considered. The outlet nozzle pipe is located in the middle of the outlet manifold, with a standard shape. An experimental stand allows one to investigate the volumetric flow rate in heat exchanger tubular space using the ultrasonic flowmeters. Various inlet mass flow rate i.e. 3 m3/h, 4 m3/h and 5 m3/h are considered. The experimental results are compared with CFD simulation performed in ANSYS CFX program using the SSG Reynolds Stress turbulence model. A relatively good agreement is found for tube Re numbers varied from 1800 to 3100.

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Numerical investigation on the effect of varying the number of flow dividers on Z-shaped membrane heat exchanger performance

Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences ◽

10.11113/mjfas.v16n1.1642 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 85-89

Author(s):

Mohammad Shakir Nasif ◽

Ra'fat Al-Waked ◽

Firas Ismail

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Energy Recovery ◽

Heat Recovery ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Moisture Transfer ◽

Flow Distribution ◽

Building Energy ◽

Minor Effect ◽

Heat And Moisture

To reduce building energy consumption and to improve indoor air quality, it is necessary the use heat recovery such as air-to-air fixed-plates enthalpy heat exchanger in mechanical ventilation. Prediction of enthalpy performance by utilizing CFD simulation is challenging since most commercial software do not simulate moisture transfer. In this research, a Z-shaped membrane heat exchanger which is used for building energy recovery systems was modeled by using commercial CFD software (FLUENT). Kraft paper of 45 gsm was used as the heat exchanger heat and moisture transfer surface. A User Define Function (UDF) code was developed and incorporated in the CFD software to enable the software to model moisture transfer through the membrane. This model is used to investigate the performance of Z-Shaped heat exchanger when the number of flow dividers within the heat exchanger is varied. It was found that a 21 % increase in the effectiveness was achieved when the number of ribs was increased from no ribs to 5 ribs. However, increasing the number of ribs from 5 to 11 only demonstrates minor effect. Therefore, no significant improvement is noticed when the number of ribs is increased beyond 5 which is attributed to air flow distribution which because more uniform when number of ribs is increased. However, the flow is already uniform when 5 ribs where used, hence increasing the ribs to 11 will not improve the flow distribution further.

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