Ceramic tube heat exchanger technology

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Mater. Compon. Fossil Energy Appl.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6604846

Technology for the design and fabrication of ceramic tube heat exchangers has been advanced significantly as a result of a recently concluded DOE Program at Solar Turbines International in San Diego, California. The objectives were to develop and identify technologies enabling the construction of a full-size, pressurized, high-temperature ceramic heat exchanger module. The program encompassed material strength screening tests, coal environment materials interaction tests, joining technology, heat exchanger module design, construction, and operations. The material evaluations included environmental studies on tubes and joints up to 2500/sup 0/F in typical combustion atmospheres for times up to 1000 hours. Strength, strength distribution, and gas permeability were also measured. Heat-up and shutdown of a large heat exchanger are recognized to be key problems. Solutions to the problems that exist during transient operation included methods to limit peak stresses that develop in critical ceramic components. The methods examined were relaxing glass ceramic joints and use of mechanical tube-to-header joints. Adaptations of these approaches were analyzed and reviewed in order to match the design with fabrication capabilities and material limitations.

• OSTI ID: 6604846
• Journal Information: Mater. Compon. Fossil Energy Appl.; (United States), Vol. 29
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MATERIALS
CERAMICS
DESIGN
FABRICATION
JOINTS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SILICON CARBIDES
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
TESTING
420400* - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
360200 - Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories