Expanded Microchannel Heat Exchanger: Finite Difference Modeling
Abstract
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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Sep 22, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.3390/designs5040058
Entities
People
- David Denkenberger
- Joshua Pearce
- Michael Brandemuehl
- Mitchell Alverts
- Zhiqiang Zhai
Organizations
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- M J Murdock Charitable Trust
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
- Office of Naval Research
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Colorado
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Western University