Coupled Heat Transfer and Hydraulic Modeling of an Experimental Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger Using Finite Element Methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian W. Jentz ◽  
Mark H. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Hydraulic Modeling ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Printed Circuit ◽  
Coupled Heat Transfer ◽  
Computational Overhead ◽  
Micro Channels

Abstract The Homogenized Heat Exchanger Thermohydraulic (HHXT) modeling environment has been developed to provide thermodynamic modeling of printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs). This finite element approach solves solid conduction and fluid thermohydraulics simultaneously, without the need to mesh the minuscule micro-channels of a PCHE. The model handles PCHE features such as headers, solid side walls, and channel inlet and outlet regions, in addition to the micro-channel core. The HHXT model resolves PCHE thermohydraulics using simple model definitions and minimum computational overhead, making it an ideal design tool. This work introduces the thermohydraulic model at the core of HHXT. The homogenization approach used in the model occupies a medium between simplified linear analyses of heat transfer within a PCHE and the brute force of a fully resolved finite element, or computational fluid dynamics, model. An example problem modeling an experimental PCHE is presented. The ability of the HHXT model to simulate fluid flow through a directional varying micro-channel core of two heat-exchanging streams is demonstrated. The HHXT model is being distributed for free within the research community.

Heat Transfer Experiments of Ethylene Glycol-Water Mixture in Multi-Port Serpentine Meso-Channel Heat Exchanger Slab

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesbah G. Khan ◽  
Amir Fartaj
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Experimental Data ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Ethylene Glycol ◽  
Test Fluid ◽  
Water Mixture ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Working Fluids ◽  
Micro Channels

In past few years, narrow diameter flow passages (≤3 mm) have attracted huge research attentions due to their several advantageous features over conventional tubes (≥6 mm) especially from the view points of higher heat transfer, lesser weight, and smaller device size. Several classifications of narrow channels, based on sizes, are proposed in the open literature from mini to meso and micro (3 mm to 100 μm). The meso- and micro-channels have not yet entered into the HVAC and automotive heat exchanger industries to the expected potentials to take the above-mentioned advantages. The reasons may be the limited availability of experimental data on pressure drop and heat transfer and the lack of consolidated design correlations as compared to what is established for compact heat exchangers. While a number of studies available on standalone single straight channels, works on multi-channel slab similar to those used as typical thermal heat exchanger core elements are inadequate, especially the research on multichannel serpentine slab are limited in the open literature. The 50% ethylene glycol and water mixture is widely used in heat exchanger industry as a heat transfer fluid. Studies of pressure drop and heat transfer on this commercially important fluid using narrow tube multi-channel slab is scarce and the availability of experimental data is rare in the open literature. Conducting research on various shapes of meso- and micro-channel heat exchanger cores using a variety working fluids are a definite needs as recommended and consistently urged in ongoing research publications in this promising area. Under present long-term project, an automated dynamic single-phase experimental infrastructure has been developed to carryout the fluid flow and heat transfer research in meso- and micro-channel test specimens and prototype microchannel heat exchanger using a variety of working fluids in air-to-liquid crossflow orientation. In the series, experiments have been conducted on 50% ethylene glycol and water solution in a serpentine meso-channel slab having 68 individual channels of 1 mm hydraulic diameter to obtain the heat transfer data and the general pressure drop nature of the test fluid. Current paper presents the heat transfer characteristics of ethylene glycol-water mixture and the Reynolds number effects on pressure drop, heat transfer rate, test specimen NTU and effectiveness, overall thermal resistance, and the Nusselt number.

Design and Development of a Low-Cost, High Temperature Silicon Carbide Micro-Channel Recuperator

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrill A. Wilson ◽  
Kurt Recknagle ◽  
Kriston Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Silicon Carbide ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Micro Channels ◽  
Micro Turbine

Typically, ceramic micro-channel devices are used for high temperature heat exchangers, catalytic reactors, electronics cooling, and processing of corrosive streams where the thermomechanical benefits of ceramic materials are desired. These benefits include: high temperature mechanical and corrosion properties and tailorable material properties such as thermal expansion, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. In addition, by utilizing Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) methods, inexpensive ceramic materials can be layered, featured and laminated in the green state and co-sintered to form monolithic structures amenable to mass production. In cooperation with the DOE and Pacific Northwest National Labs, silicon carbide (SiC) based micro-channel recuperator concepts are being developed and tested. The performance benefits of a high temperature, micro-channel heat exchanger are realized from the improved thermal efficiency of the high temperature cycles and the improved effectiveness of micro-channels for heat transfer. In designing these structures, the heat and mass transfer within the micro-channels are being analyzed with heat transfer models, computational fluid dynamics models and validated with experimental results. As an example, a typical micro-turbine cycle was modified and modeled to incorporate this ceramic recuperator and it was found that the overall thermal efficiency of the micro-turbine could be improved from about 27% to over 40%. Process improvements require technical advantages and cost advantages. These LOM methodologies have been based on well-proven industry standard processes where labor, throughput and capital estimates have been tested. Following these cost models and validation at the prototype scale, cost estimates were obtained. For the micro-turbine example, cost estimates indicate that the high-temperature SiC recuperator would cost about $200 per kWe. The development of these heat exchangers is multi-faceted and this paper focuses on the design optimization of a layered micro-channel heat exchanger, its performance testing, and fabrication development through LOM methodologies.

Design of a Ceramic Heat Exchanger for Sulfuric Acid Decomposition

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrill A. Wilson ◽  
Charles Lewinsohn ◽  
James Cutts ◽  
Valery Ponyavin
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Sulfuric Acid ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Compact Heat Exchanger ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Micro Channels ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Chemical Cycle

It has been proposed that compact ceramic heat exchangers can be used for high temperature, corrosive applications. This paper discusses the design development of a micro-channel heat exchanger for the decomposition of sulfuric acid as part of the hydrogen producing sulfur iodine thermo-chemical cycle. Corrosion studies of candidate materials indicate that ceramic materials have superior corrosion and creep resistance under these high temperature, high acid concentration environments. This compact heat exchanger utilizes micro-channels to enhance the heat transfer while maintaining low pressure drops within the system. Through modular stacking of these micro-channel networks, a "shell and plate" configuration enables the processing of commercial-scale processes. The ceramic materials provide for long-life applications. The design of the micro-channel features captures the enhanced heat transfer characteristics at the micro-scale; the modular assembly permits the integration into macro-scale processes. As a case study, the thermal performance and the economics were investigated to determine the feasibility of this compact heat exchanger for the hydrogen producing sulfur iodine thermo-chemical cycle. The results of this design effort with its associated performance goals and development status will be reported.

scholarly journals Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Condensation Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of Refrigerant R22 in Minichannels of a Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6589
Author(s):  
Shilin Li ◽  
Zhongchao Zhao ◽  
Yanrui Zhang ◽  
Haijia Xu ◽  
Weiqin Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Mass Flux ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Printed Circuit ◽  
Micro Channels ◽  
Friction Pressure ◽  
Experimental Values ◽  
Condensation Flow

A Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger (PCHE) is a type of highly complete and efficient heat exchanger that consists of numerous mini/micro-channels and has been successfully applied to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification project. During the research presented in this paper, the condensation flow and heat transfer performance of the R22 in PCHE hot side minichannels are analyzed via experiments and numerical simulations, respectively. A liquid nitrogen–R22 experimental loop is established to examine the pressure difference and heat transfer coefficient of R22 in the minichannels of the PCHE hot side. The inlet pressures of the R22 range from 0.5 MPa to 0.65 MPa, the mass flux values are changed from 10.52 kg m−2s−1 to 109.42 kg m−2s−1, and the inlet temperatures vary from 273 K to 289 K. The differences between experiments and simulations are analyzed by comparing the experimental values of the Nusselt number (Nu) and the friction pressure gradient with the numerical ones. Furthermore, the influences of pressure and mass flux on the Nu, as well as the friction pressure gradient, are analyzed in depth through condensation flow regimes to explore the underlying mechanism giving the results.

Development and Analysis of Micro-Channel Heat Exchangers for Natural Gas Cooling

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Menon ◽  
H. Ganti ◽  
H. Wang ◽  
C. Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Cfd Models ◽  
Component Design ◽  
Micro Channels

Abundant availability and potential for lower CO2 emissions are drivers for increased utilization of natural gas in automotive engines for transportation applications. However scarce refueling resources for on-road vehicles impose an infrastructure limited barrier on natural gas use in transportation. A novel ‘bimodal’ engine which can operate in a compressor mode has been developed that allows on-board refueling of natural gas where available without the need for any supplemental device. Engine compression of natural gas however results in considerable heating of the gas which is undesirable from a system stand-point. Micro-channel heat exchangers have been developed to absorb heat from the natural gas using engine coolant and compressed air. This work presents the design and development of the micro-channel heat exchangers as well as a preliminary analysis of system performance. Design methodology for the heat exchanger was based on trade-off studies that correlated system performance with component design. Energy flows through the system are analyzed as a function of engine compression ratio, operating speed, charge flow rate, and ambient air and natural gas conditions. These results are further used to estimate heat transfer co-efficient and effectiveness of the micro-channel heat exchanger. Future work involves developing CFD models of the heat exchanger to obtain a detailed understanding of the conjugate heat transfer and fluid flow processes within the micro-channels.

Two-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer in Rectangular Micro-Channels

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weilin Qu ◽  
Seok-Mann Yoon ◽  
Issam Mudawar
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Flow Pattern ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Heat Sinks ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Micro Channels

Knowledge of flow pattern and flow pattern transitions is essential to the development of reliable predictive tools for pressure drop and heat transfer in two-phase micro-channel heat sinks. In the present study, experiments were conducted with adiabatic nitrogen-water two-phase flow in a rectangular micro-channel having a 0.406 × 2.032 mm cross-section. Superficial velocities of nitrogen and water ranged from 0.08 to 81.92 m/s and 0.04 to 10.24 m/s, respectively. Flow patterns were first identified using high-speed video imaging, and still photos were then taken for representative patterns. Results reveal that the dominant flow patterns are slug and annular, with bubbly flow occurring only occasionally; stratified and churn flow were never observed. A flow pattern map was constructed and compared with previous maps and predictions of flow pattern transition models. Annual flow is identified as the dominant flow pattern for conditions relevant to two-phase micro-channel heat sinks, and forms the basis for development of a theoretical model for both pressure drop and heat transfer in micro-channels. Features unique to two-phase micro-channel flow, such as laminar liquid and gas flows, smooth liquid-gas interface, and strong entrainment and deposition effects are incorporated into the model. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for water-cooled heat sinks.

A Study on the Strength under Pressure of Micro Heat Exchanger

2006 ◽  
Vol 326-328 ◽  
pp. 265-268
Author(s):  
Taek Joon Son ◽  
Young Shin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Thin Plate ◽  
Thin Plates ◽  
Micro Channel ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Micro Heat Exchanger ◽  
Micro Channels

The strength of micro heat exchanger under pressure is studied in this paper. Micro heat exchanger is made with brazing technology. It is constructed of stainless steel thin plates with micro channels and in/out port for fluid flow. Micro channels in thin plates are formed by etching and all parts including thin plates are joined by brazing. The study on the strength under pressure is performed by structural analysis. For structural analysis, one layer of micro heat exchanger body is considered. It is composed of thin plate with micro channel and brazing filler which is used to join thin plates. This paper shows the tendency of stress behavior and gives design guideline of micro heat exchanger.

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