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Title: The microtube strip heat exchanger

Abstract

The advantages of designing heat exchangers in the laminar-flow regime are discussed from a theoretical standpoint. It is argued that laminar-flow designs have the advantages of reducing thermodynamic and hydrodynamic irreversibilities, and hence increasing system efficiency. More concretely, laminar-flow heat exchangers are free from the turbulence-induced vibration common in conventional heat exchangers, and can thus offer longer life and greater reliability. The problems of manufacturing heat exchangers suited to laminar flow are discussed. A method of manufacture is outlined that allows compact, modular design. Experience with this method of manufacture is described. Experimental results with a prototype heat exchanger bank are presented: these results show good agreement with theory at moderate levels of effectiveness (75--85%), but fall below predicted values at higher levels. It is argued that this discrepancy results from flow maldistribution. The problem of fouling and flow maldistribution are briefly discussed, and some possible applications are mentioned.

Authors:
; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Doty Scientific, Inc., Columbia, SC (United States)
  2. Simon Fraser Univ., Burnaby, British Columbia (Canada). School of Engineering Science
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6840629
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Heat Transfer Engineering; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 12:3; Journal ID: ISSN 0145-7632
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; HEAT EXCHANGERS; DESIGN; CONSTRAINTS; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; LAMINAR FLOW; OPERATION; PERFORMANCE; SERVICE LIFE; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT; USES; WELDING; DATA; FABRICATION; FLUID FLOW; INFORMATION; JOINING; LIFETIME; NUMERICAL DATA; 420400* - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow

Citation Formats

Doty, F D, Hosford, G, Spitzmesser, J B, and Jones, J D. The microtube strip heat exchanger. United States: N. p., 1991. Web. doi:10.1080/01457639108939754.
Doty, F D, Hosford, G, Spitzmesser, J B, & Jones, J D. The microtube strip heat exchanger. United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/01457639108939754
Doty, F D, Hosford, G, Spitzmesser, J B, and Jones, J D. 1991. "The microtube strip heat exchanger". United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/01457639108939754.
@article{osti_6840629,
title = {The microtube strip heat exchanger},
author = {Doty, F D and Hosford, G and Spitzmesser, J B and Jones, J D},
abstractNote = {The advantages of designing heat exchangers in the laminar-flow regime are discussed from a theoretical standpoint. It is argued that laminar-flow designs have the advantages of reducing thermodynamic and hydrodynamic irreversibilities, and hence increasing system efficiency. More concretely, laminar-flow heat exchangers are free from the turbulence-induced vibration common in conventional heat exchangers, and can thus offer longer life and greater reliability. The problems of manufacturing heat exchangers suited to laminar flow are discussed. A method of manufacture is outlined that allows compact, modular design. Experience with this method of manufacture is described. Experimental results with a prototype heat exchanger bank are presented: these results show good agreement with theory at moderate levels of effectiveness (75--85%), but fall below predicted values at higher levels. It is argued that this discrepancy results from flow maldistribution. The problem of fouling and flow maldistribution are briefly discussed, and some possible applications are mentioned.},
doi = {10.1080/01457639108939754},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6840629}, journal = {Heat Transfer Engineering; (United States)},
issn = {0145-7632},
number = ,
volume = 12:3,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991}
}