The application of additive manufacturing to heat exchangers for oscillatory flow: A case study

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is an option for the fabrication of heat exchangers for thermoacoustic applications. In thermoacoustic devices, heat exchangers are placed in oscillatory flow. A careful consideration of heat exchanger geometries examines the application of methodologies to optimise heat transfer and the temperature gradient. Additive manufacturing is proposed as an alternative fabrication technique that can overcome the current limitations of conventional fabrication machining. Six identical crossflow heat exchangers were made and tested, three from stainless steel and three from aluminium. The oscillatory flow moves back and forth through circular cross-section channels, and water flows in channels perpendicular to them. Heat transfer and temperature gradients were investigated at different drive ratios and mean pressures.