Modeling non-adiabatic parallel flow microchannel heat exchangers

B. Mathew, H. Hegab

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article analyzes parallel flow microchannel heat exchangers with non-adiabatic thermal condition imposed on the wall separating the fluids and the ambient. For purposes of analysis, a thermal model comprising of two governing equations, one for each of the fluids, is developed and analytically solved to obtain equations for calculating the axial temperature and thereby the effectiveness of both fluids. Provision is provided in these equations for the temperature of the ambient interacting with the hot fluid to be different from that associated with the cold fluid. Analytical equations for determining the heat transfer between the individual fluids and the respective ambient as well as that between the fluids are also developed in this paper. The temperatures/effectiveness of the fluids depend on parameters such as NTU, fluid heat capacities, thermal resistance between the individual fluid and the respective ambient and ambient temperatures. In addition, under certain operating conditions the phenomenon of temperature-cross is observed. Depending on the ambient temperatures, increase in NTU will continuously improve the effectiveness of one the fluids; the effectiveness of the other fluid over the same NTU range increases before peaking and subsequent decrease. Equations for determining the NTU at which this peak value in effectiveness occurs are also provided. An unbalanced flow microchannel heat exchanger with the hot fluid having the lowest heat capacity has better effectiveness than when the cold fluid has the lowest heat capacity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)350-360
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Thermal Sciences
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Effectiveness
  • External heat transfer
  • Heat exchanger
  • Microchannel
  • NTU

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modeling non-adiabatic parallel flow microchannel heat exchangers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this