Comparison of Entropy Generation and Conventional Design Methods for Heat Exchangers.

Abstract

The design of heat exchangers traditionally focuses on the known constraints of the problem such as inlet and outlet temperatures, flow rates, and pressure drops. This leads mainly to a sizing problem where the designer must select surfaces, flow configuration, and materials to meet the minimum design objectives. An alternate approach based on an acceptable level of thermodynamic irreversibility (entropy generation) has been proposed. When the entropy generation level has been set, the geometric parameters of the heat exchanger can be determined. The design of a plate-fin type, gas-to-gas recuperator for a regenerative open Brayton cycle has been used as a demonstrative device. The resulting heat exchanger designs are then examined to determine what caused the differences and why either method should be preferred over the other.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA190256

Entities

People

  • David S. Herbein

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Brayton Cycles
  • Coefficients
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Equations
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Exchangers
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transfer Coefficients
  • Heat Transfer Devices
  • Marine Engineering
  • Naval Architecture
  • Physical Properties
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Surface Temperature
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • United States Naval Academy

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Statistical inference.
  • Systems Analysis and Design