Thermal-hydraulic performance optimization of plastic plate heat exchanger with lung flow channel using additive manufacturing
Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, cilt.66, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 66
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.tsep.2025.104013
- Dergi Adı: Thermal Science and Engineering Progress
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Additive manufacturing, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Lung-inspired channel design, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Plastic plate heat exchanger, Thermo-hydraulic performance
- Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study presents an innovative design and evaluation of a plastic plate heat exchanger (PPHE) inspired by lung-patterned geometries and fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques with PA12 nylon material. The novelty lies in adopting biomimetic principles to enhance heat transfer efficiency while addressing challenges such as material durability, pressure drop, and energy consumption. PA12 nylon was selected for its lightweight nature, chemical resistance, and compatibility with intricate geometries enabled by Multi Jet Fusion. Experimental and numerical analyses reveal that at different flow rates, the PPHE achieved heat transfer rates of 1504 W and 3887 W, with effective values increasing from 0.36 to 0.40 on the hot side. However, the COP decreased from 345 to 142 due to a 6-fold increase in pumping power. Pressure drops ranged from 457 Pa to 1478 Pa on the hot side, proportional to the flow rate. While the PPHE demonstrates comparable heat transfer performance to metallic counterparts, its energy efficiency at high flow rates requires optimization. This study demonstrates the suitability of non-metallic heat exchangers for lightweight and sustainable applications. Future work should aim to optimize PPHE designs, explore hybrid materials, and assess performance under varied conditions for broader industrial use.