All heat pump cycles have one common feature that connects them to one another;
this feature is the presence of a heat exchanger. There are even some heat–driven
cycles that are completely composed of heat exchangers, every heat exchanger
fulfilling a different, though critical role.
The need therefore exists to optimize heat exchangers, more specifically Compact
Heat Exchangers (CHE). This study deals with the optimization of such a CHE by
determining an optimal hydraulic diameter of the micro–channels in a CHE, for
minimal hydraulic losses. Two Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were
developed for a single micro–channel that is present in a CHE. The first model had a
semi–circular cross–section, the second a triangular cross–section.
The results were verified by comparing it with existing experimental data. Following
the verification of the results, the micro–channel was optimized by implementing an
optimum diameter for the lowest pressure drop over the micro–channel. This was done
for both the semi–circular and triangular micro–channel cross–sections. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4629 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Venter, Johann Christiaan |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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