Thermal and hydraulic performance of a sieve tray direct contact heat exchanger

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5328632

Mines, G L; Wiggins, D J

Experiments investigating the thermal and hydraulic performance of a sieve tray direct contact heat exchanger (DCHX) were conducted using a 275 /SUP o/ geothermal fluid as an energy source and different hydrocarbons as working fluids. The baseline performance tests with the direct contact unit were conducted with isobutane. The thermal performance of the unit met or exceeded the design goals for individual tray thermal efficiencies and pinch points. Hydraulically the column operated near recommended design fluid velocities. Following the completion of these tests, the DCHX was operated with different mixtures of hydrocarbon working fluids. Different combinations of the isobutane/hexane family were tested followed by a series with propane/isopentane fluids. The testing conducted with the direct contact unit showed that the sieve tray column is a very efficient heat exchange device although some degradation in boiling tray efficiency and column throughput were noted when mixtures were used.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc.
• OSTI ID: 5328632
• Report Number(s): CONF-830812-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150802* -- Geothermal Power Plants-- Power Plant Systems & Components
2-METHYLBUTANE
2-METHYLPROPANE
ALKANES
BOILING
DESIGN
DIRECT CONTACT HEAT EXCHANGERS
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEXANE
HYDRAULICS
HYDROCARBONS
MECHANICS
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PROPANE
TESTING
THERMAL DEGRADATION
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMODYNAMICS
VELOCITY
WORKING FLUIDS