Optimal Header Design for Diffusion Bonded Heat Exchangers
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Microchannel heat exchangers have seen increasing adoption in many high-pressure applications in recent decades but are subject to particulate fouling from the relatively small channel size compared to traditional designs. Typical cleaning methods require process shutdown, heat exchanger removal, cleaning, then reassembly. The objective of this project was to refine and transfer technology to enable header design improvements for Cleaning-in-Place (CIP), allowing for reduced/negligible process interruption for the cleaning process. The technology transfer was from Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) to Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc. (VPE). This primary purpose of CIP was developed while considering channel flow uniformity and heat exchanger cost. The project phases were to 1) capture and define potential improvement options, 2) evaluate options with both simulation and experiments, and 3) transfer design knowledge to the industry partner. These efforts resulted in improved header designs from the first known focused effort in this area. The improved designs will help the entire microchannel heat exchanger field that has applications in supercritical CO2 power cycles, hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicle fueling, liquified natural gas processing, and more.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- Contributing Organization:
- Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc. (VPE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
- OSTI ID:
- 1765270
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2021-0988; 693848
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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