Optimisation of Metallic FibreNetwork Materials for Compact Heat Exchangers

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental and analytical study of conductive and convective heat transport in metallic fibre network materials. Thermal profiles were measured while gas flowed through such networks. The lateral heat flow rate was found to be proportional to the logarithm of the mean temperature difference between the inlet gas and the wall. Such behaviour is expected when transverse heat flow is a dominant process. An analytical model is developed to simulate the performance of compact heat exchangers based on fibre networks. A study is presented of the inter-relationships between heat transfer performance, fibre network properties, system dimensions and pump characteristics. Some guidelines are presented for controlling the architecture of such fibre network materials, so as to optimise their performance as heat exchangers