A mathematical model for flow maldistribution study in a parallel plate-fin heat exchanger

Yang, Huizhu; Wen, Jian; Gu, Xin; Liu, Yuce; Wang, Simin; Cai, Wenjian; Li, Yanzhong

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.03.130

Cited by 46 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…It was also mentioned that headers with porous baffles could effectively improve the two-phase flow distribution and are an essential factor in the design of plate-fin heat exchangers. Moreover, Zang et al [21] and Yang et al [22] reported that it is possible to get a more uniform flow distribution of plate-fin heat exchangers and improve heat exchange performance by improving header shape through CFD analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Study on Non-Uniform Temperature Distribution and Thermal Performance of Plate Heat Exchanger

Ham

Lee

et al. 2021

Energies

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In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed to investigate the cause of the thermal stratification in the channel and the temperature non-uniformity of the plate heat exchanger. The flow velocity maldistribution of the channel and the merging parts caused temperature non-uniformity in the channel width direction. The non-uniformity of flow velocity and temperature in the channel is shown in Section 1 > Section 3 > Section 2 from the heat exchanger. The non-uniform temperature distribution in the channel caused channel stratification and non-uniform outlet temperature. Stratification occurred at the channel near the merging due to the flow rate non-uniformity in the channel. In particular, as the mass flow rate increased from 0.03 to 0.12 kg/s and the effectiveness increased from 0.436 to 0.615, the cold-side stratified volume decreased from 4.06 to 3.7 cm3, and the temperature difference between the stratified area and the outlet decreased from 1.21K to 0.61K. The increase in mass flow and the decrease in temperature difference between the cold and hot sides alleviated the non-uniformity of the outlet temperature due to the increase in effectiveness. Besides, as the inlet temperature difference between the cold and the hot side increases, the temperature non-uniformity at the outlet port is poor due to the increase in the stratified region at the channel, and the distance to obtain a uniform temperature in the outlet pipe increases as the temperature at the hot side increases.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Study on Non-Uniform Temperature Distribution and Thermal Performance of Plate Heat Exchanger

Ham

Lee

et al. 2021

Energies

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“…However, due to geometry design features or operating conditions, flow maldistribution is a common problem that can significantly reduce the desired heat exchanger performance. Therefore, finding a way to improve flow uniformity in PCHEs, so as to reduce the heat exchanger size, design margins or achieve the desired production rate, is of vital importance [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis Exploring the Uniformity of Flow Distribution in Multi-Channels for the Application of Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers

Huang

Lin

et al. 2020

Symmetry

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The maldistribution of fluid flow through multi-channels is a critical issue encountered in many areas, such as multi-channel heat exchangers, electronic device cooling, refrigeration and cryogenic devices, air separation and the petrochemical industry. In this paper, the uniformity of flow distribution in a printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) is investigated. The flow distribution and resistance characteristics of a PCHE plate are studied with numerical models under different flow distribution cases. The results show that the sudden change in the angle of the fluid at the inlet of the channel can be greatly reduced by using a spreader plate with an equal inner and outer radius. The flow separation of the fluid at the inlet of the channel can also be weakened and the imbalance of flow distribution in the channel can be reduced. Therefore, the flow uniformity can be improved and the pressure loss between the inlet and outlet of PCHEs can be reduced. The flow maldistribution in each PCHE channel can be reduced to ± 0.2%, and the average flow maldistribution in all PCHE channels can be reduced to less than 5% when the number of manifolds reaches nine. The numerical simulation of fluid flow distribution can provide guidance for the subsequent research and the design and development of multi-channel heat exchangers. In summary, the symmetry of the fluid flow in multi-channels for PCHE was analyzed in this work. This work presents the frequently encountered problem of maldistribution of fluid flow in engineering, and the performance promotion leads to symmetrical aspects in both the structure and the physical process.

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“…The maldistribution is not examined well enough and there are inconsistencies in reports about reasons, predictions and methods of reduction. Moreover, there are a lot of works that are dealing with a maldistribution phenomenon in parallel minichannels (Dąbrowski et al 2019;García-Cascales et al 2017;Najim & Feddaoui, 2018;Dąbrowski et al 2017;Sakamatapan & Wongwises, 2014;Yang et al 2017;Zhou et al 2014) but few that mentioned about flow non-uniformity and non-uniform temperature field in minigaps (Alam et al 2013;Mathew et al 2019;Tamanna & Lee, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitigation of Flow Maldistribution in Minichannel and Minigap Heat Exchangers by Introducing Threshold in Manifolds

Dąbrowski

2020

JAFM

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In the present paper, a detailed numerical investigation has been carried out to analyze the flow maldistribution in 50 parallel rectangular cross-section (1 mm depth and 1 mm width) minichannels and minigap section (1 mm depth and 99 mm width) with rectangular/trapezoidal manifolds in Z-type flow configuration. The author carried out numerical investigation with various mass flow rates, namely 0.05 kg/s, 0.1 kg/s and 0.2 kg/s which results in Reynolds number of 1532, 3064, 6128 respectively. A novel approach for the mitigation of non-uniform flow has been proposed introducing threshold at the entrance of the minigeometry section. The conventional case without threshold (as reference) and 1 mm, 3 mm and 7 mm threshold were introduced. The threshold has been employed by making a manifolds' depth bigger than section's depth. The maldistribution coefficient can be reduced twice in minigap section or three times in the minichannel section already with the 1 mm threshold as compared to the arrangement without threshold. It is found that rectangular manifold gives lower maldistribution coefficient than trapezoidal manifold which corresponds with actual state of the art. The distribution is more uniform in minichannel section than in minigap section for the same inlet parameters. To obtain uniform distribution of fluid flow should be stabilized already at the inlet manifold, at the entrance to the minichannel or minigap section. That was done by introducing the threshold in the manifolds, which is novelty of this study.

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A mathematical model for flow maldistribution study in a parallel plate-fin heat exchanger

Cited by 46 publications

References 25 publications

Numerical Study on Non-Uniform Temperature Distribution and Thermal Performance of Plate Heat Exchanger

Numerical Study on Non-Uniform Temperature Distribution and Thermal Performance of Plate Heat Exchanger

Analysis Exploring the Uniformity of Flow Distribution in Multi-Channels for the Application of Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers

Mitigation of Flow Maldistribution in Minichannel and Minigap Heat Exchangers by Introducing Threshold in Manifolds

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