Optimization of counterflow heat exchanger geometry through minimization of entropy generation

P.P.M. Lerou, T.T. Veenstra, Johannes Faas Burger, Hermanus J.M. ter Brake, Horst Rogalla

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Abstract

A counterflow heat exchanger (CFHX) is an essential element for recuperative cooling cycles. The performance of the CFHX strongly influences the overall performance of the cryocooler. In the design of a heat exchanger, different loss mechanisms like pressure drop and parasitic heat flows are often treated separately. Acceptable values for the pressure drop and total heat leakage are estimated and thus a CFHX geometry is more or less arbitrarily chosen. This article applies another, less familiar design strategy where these losses are all treated as a production of entropy. It is thus possible to compare and sum them. In this way, a CFHX configuration can be found that is optimal for a certain application, producing a minimum of entropy and thus has minimum losses. As an example, the design steps of a CFHX for the micro cooling project at the University of Twente are given. Also a generalization of micro CFHX dimensions for cooling powers between 10 and 120 mW is presented.
Original languageUndefined
Pages (from-to)659-669
Number of pages11
JournalCryogenics
Volume45
Issue number10-11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • METIS-227184
  • IR-76636
  • Optimization
  • Counterflow heat exchangers (E)
  • Micro cryocooler
  • Entropy minimization
  • Joule-Thomson coolers (E)

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