HX cross section and manifold flow patterns.
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Type Paper
Location London, ON; Fairbanks, AK; Boulder, CO
Cite as Citation reference for the source document. Denkenberger, D.; Pearce, J.M.; Brandemuehl, M.; Alverts, M.; Zhai, J. Expanded Microchannel Heat Exchanger: Finite Difference Modeling. Designs 2021, 5, 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/designs5040058 OA Academia

A finite difference model of a heat exchanger (HX) considered maldistribution, axial conduction, heat leak, and the edge effect, all of which are needed to model a high effectiveness HX. An HX prototype was developed, and channel height data were obtained using a computerized tomography (CT) scan from previous work along with experimental results. This study used the core geometry data to model results with the finite difference model, and compared the modeled and experimental results to help improve the expanded microchannel HX (EMHX) prototype design. The root mean square (RMS) error was 3.8%. Manifold geometries were not put into the model because the data were not available, so impacts of the manifold were investigated by varying the temperature conditions at the inlet and exit of the core. Previous studies have not considered the influence of heat transfer in the manifold on the HX effectiveness when maldistribution is present. With no flow maldistribution, manifold heat transfer increases overall effectiveness roughly as would be expected by the greater heat transfer area in the manifolds. Manifold heat transfer coupled with flow maldistribution for the prototype, however, causes a decrease in the effectiveness at high flow rate, and an increase in effectiveness at low flow rate.

See also[edit | edit source]

Manufacturing the HX with an open source laser welding system[edit | edit source]

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Part of FAST completed projects and publications
Keywords microchannel heat exchangers, maldistribution, heat transfer, polymers, finite difference, heat exchanger design
SDG SDG07 Affordable and clean energy
Authors David Denkenberger, Michael Brandemuehl, M. Alverts, John Zhai, J.M.Pearce
License CC-BY-SA-4.0
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 13 pages link here
Impact 348 page views
Created September 22, 2021 by Joshua M. Pearce
Modified October 23, 2023 by Maintenance script
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