Session: 13-04: Heat transfer modelling

Paper Number: 153280

Modelling of a Compact Heat Exchanger With TPMS Geometry 

A method for the full aerothermal analysis of a compact heat exchanger with an internal TPMS (Triple Periodic Minimal Surface) is presented in this paper. The proposed methodology simplifies and sub-models the geometry allowing to reduce computational costs during the design phase. The steps to follow are the estimation of the aerothermal characteristics of the TPMS basic cell unit, the porous media approximation for both fluids flowing through the TPMS lattice and the dual cell heat exchanger model for the heat transfer between the two fluids. The model assumes both fluids in laminar regime, and high Prandtl numbers, corresponding to a current aeronautical application. The geometry tested and presented herein is a simplification of a real one, with a number of TPMS cells ~O(100), one order of magnitude lower than the true heat exchanger one, ~O(10e3-10e4), with the aim of testing the methodology. The use of a simplified geometry allows to compare the results against a conjugate model which comprises the CFD simulation of the hot and cold fluids and the solid simulation of the heat exchanged through the TPMS core and casing. Reliable estimations of the pressure drops and temperature changes are achieved. Therefore, the presented methodology can be employed as a tool in the iterative design process of a heat exchanger with a complex internal geometry.

Presenting Author: Carlos Pérez ITP Aero

Presenting Author Biography: Heat & Mass Transfer Associate Fellow in ITP Aero

Authors:

Iñigo Montenegro ITP Aero
Carlos Pérez ITP Aero
Antonio Revuelta ITP Aero