Performance of Straight-Fin and Microchannel Heat Exchangers in Steady and Periodic Flows

Abstract

The performance of straight-fin and microchannel heat exchangers was investigated in steady and periodic flows. Steady flow measurements were performed using an open test section wind tunnel. Periodic flow measurements were performed using a thermoacoustic cooler prototype. Detailed temperature measurements were made for varying operating conditions using thermocouple arrays. The results suggest that nondimensional heat transfer coefficients based on stack end temperatures calculated from steady flow data may be applicable to predict the thermal performance in a periodic flow, provided the root-mean-square local particle velocity is used as the velocity scale. The accuracy of rms-based steady flow correlations may be comparable or in some cases better than that of linearized boundary layer models frequently used in thermoacoustics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 08, 2001
Accession Number
ADA395249

Entities

People

  • Aaron Alexander
  • James Braun
  • Luc Mongeau

Organizations

  • Purdue Research Foundation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Coefficients
  • Energy
  • Flow
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Exchangers
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transfer Coefficients
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Layers
  • Measurement
  • Particles
  • Steady Flow
  • Steady State
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Wind Tunnels

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.