Experimental testing and analytical analysis of a plastic panel heat exchanger for greenhouse heating
The performance of a plastic panel-type heat exchanger, suitable for greenhouse heating using low-grade (25 to 60/sup 0/C water) power plant reject heat, was investigated theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical analysis showed that a plastic panel heat exchanger would have an overall heat transfer coefficient, U/sub 0/, of about 18 w/m/sup 2/-/sup 0/C compared to about 12 w/m/sup 2/-/sup 0/C for a fin-tube heat exchanger, under typical greenhouse conditions. Furthermore the plastic heat exchanger would require less fan power due to reduced air pressure losses. The experimental data revealed a similar functional relationship for U/sub 0/ and air flow when compared with the theoretical calculations, however the experimental values of U/sub 0/ were consistently larger by 20 to 30%. It was concluded that a properly designed plastic heat exchanger can compete with metal fin tube type exchangers on a performance basis, but the plastic heat exchangers are 3 to 4 times larger by volume. However, because of the lower cost of plastic, a substantial cost reduction is expected. It appears that further study, examining heat exchanger lifetime, performance and costs, is warranted.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 5510964
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-7151
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GREENHOUSES
SPACE HEATING
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE HEAT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GRAPHS
PLASTICS
TABLES
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
BUILDINGS
DATA
DATA FORMS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
HEAT
HEATING
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POWER PLANTS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES
320304* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization