The microtube strip heat exchanger

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Heat Transfer Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01457639108939754· OSTI ID:6840629

Doty, F D; Hosford, G; Spitzmesser, J B ^[1]; Jones, J D ^[2]

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1. Doty Scientific, Inc., Columbia, SC (United States)
2. Simon Fraser Univ., Burnaby, British Columbia (Canada). School of Engineering Science

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.

• OSTI ID: 6840629
• Journal Information: Heat Transfer Engineering; (United States), Vol. 12:3; ISSN 0145-7632
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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