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CFD-based structure optimization of plate bundle in plate-fin heat exchanger considering flow and heat transfer performance

  • Yao Li , Haiqing Si , Jingxuan Qiu , Yingying Shen , Peihong Zhang EMAIL logo and Hongyin Jia
Published/Copyright: April 12, 2021

Abstract

The plate-fin heat exchanger has been widely applied in the field of air separation and aerospace due to its high specific surface area of heat transfer. However, the low heat transfer efficiency of its plate bundles has also attracted more attention. It is of great significance to optimize the structure of plate-fin heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer efficiency. The plate bundle was studied by combining numerical simulation with experiment. Firstly, according to the heat and mass transfer theory, the plate bundle calculation model of plate-fin heat exchanger was established, and the accuracy of the UDF (User-Defined Functions) for describing the mass and heat transfer was verified. Then, the influences of fin structure parameters on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of channel were discussed, including the height, spacing, thickness and length of fins. Finally the influence of various factors on the flow field performance under different flow states was integrated to complete the optimal design of the plate bundle.


Corresponding author: Peihong Zhang, China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center, Mianyang, 621000, China, E-mail:

Funding source: The First Batch Projects of Industry-University Cooperation Combined with Education of the Education Ministry in 2020

Award Identifier / Grant number: NO. 202002035025

Funding source: The National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 11272151

Funding source: The Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province

Award Identifier / Grant number: KYCX20_0214

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: We would like to acknowledge the support provided by the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (KYCX20_0214), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11272151) and the First Batch Projects of Industry-University Cooperation Combined with Education of the Education Ministry in 2020 (NO. 202002035025).

  3. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

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Received: 2020-10-29
Accepted: 2021-03-24
Published Online: 2021-04-12

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