Thermal management (TM) for fuel cell and advanced automotive applications plays a critical role in overall system performance and is quite complex and challenging. Compact, cost-effective, high performance and lightweight heat exchangers are needed to meet high heat flux removal requirements associated with these systems [1]. Innovative heat transfer enhancement techniques such as, microchannel, metallic foam and advanced platefin surfaces are being considered for development of next generation of heat exchangers that will meet these challenging demands [2-3]. These challenging demands are seen in radiators of fuel cell powered passenger vehicles and for commercial transportation applications. The upcoming 2010 off-highway emissions are also driving the need for much improved performance in charge air coolers and exhaust gas coolers [4]. The overall objective of this study is to present the current state-of-the-art and advances anticipated in the next generation heat exchanger technology.
Metal foam heat exchangers for thermal management of fuel cell systems
