An apparatus for the testing of small cryogenic heat exchangers

Abstract

Most cryogenic processes demand high effectiveness heat exchangers. The performance of these exchangers is determined not only by convective heat transfer resistance, but also by other irreversibilities such as axial conduction, flow maldistribution, heat transfer with surroundings, and finite number of lateral heat transfer paths. While determination of heat transfer correlations for exchanger cores is sufficient in most conventional applications, high-Ntu cryogenic exchangers must be tested under true operating conditions. As a part of our matrix heat exchanger development program, an apparatus has been constructed for testing small, compact heat exchangers at low temperature. The apparatus, enclosed in a vacuum vessel, provides a variable cold end temperature and means for direct measurement of ineffectiveness. Temperature approaches at both ends and pressure drop in both channels are also measured. The construction of the apparatus as well as the instrumentation and data acquisition methods are discussed. The results of a test on a small matrix heat exchanger using the test apparatus are also presented. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.