Numerical investigation on thermal-hydraulic performance of variable cross section printed circuit heat exchanger

• DOI: 10.1063/5.0200392
• Publication Date: 2024-04-08T11:05:36Z
• Authors: Ping Yuan; Hua Tian; Xuan Wang; Xuanang Zhang; Hongfei Zhang; Xingyu Liang; Gequn Shu; Zhuqing Li
• Keywords: Thermal hydraulics

CO2 transcritical power cycle (CTPC) systems have attracted considerable research focus in the fields of thermoelectric conversion and waste heat recovery. The regenerator is a key component affecting CTPC system's efficiency. To improve comprehensive performance regenerator, extensive has been conducted to optimize flow channel design. However, optimization traditional Z-channel printed circuit exchanger structure (ZPCHE) limited constant cross-sectional configurations along direction, which can lead low space utilization. solve this problem, an efficient variable cross section (UAPCHE) proposed study. designed with different shapes direction fit path main fluid. UAPCHE achieves coordinated transfer (Nu), (dP), compactness (Q/V) by increasing effective utilization weakening damage fluid boundary layer. design principle introduced, based on this, structural parameters are optimized achieve best performance. results show that, compared ZPCHE, Nu be increased 16.79%, dP reduced 19.48%, Q/V 22.65%.