A simple and accurate numerical network flow model for bionic micro heat exchangers

Heat and Mass Transfer volume 47, pages491–503(2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Heat exchangers are often associated with drawbacks like a large pressure drop or a non-uniform flow distribution. Recent research shows that bionic structures can provide possible improvements. We considered a set of such structures that were designed with M. Hermann’s FracTherm® algorithm. In order to optimize and compare them with conventional heat exchangers, we developed a numerical method to determine their performance. We simulated the flow in the heat exchanger applying a network model and coupled these results with a finite volume method to determine the heat distribution in the heat exchanger.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Fraunhofer for the financial support of the THOKA project.

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Affiliations

  1. Fraunhofer Institute (ITWM), Fraunhofer-Platz 1, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany

    M. Pieper & P. Klein

Authors
  1. M. Pieper
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  2. P. Klein
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Correspondence to M. Pieper.

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Pieper, M., Klein, P. A simple and accurate numerical network flow model for bionic micro heat exchangers. Heat Mass Transfer 47, 491–503 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-010-0739-7

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Keywords

  • Heat Exchanger
  • Mass Flow Rate
  • Lattice Boltzmann Method
  • Parallel Channel
  • Heat Exchanger Plate