Effects of Pressure and Channel Depth on Desorption in Microscale Fractal-Like Branching Heat Exchangers

Abstract

Desorption in micro-scale plate heat exchangers having a branching flow network is investigated as a function of oil flow rate, solution flow rate, manifold pressure and channel depth. The solution is an aqueous-ammonia solution with an inlet concentration held fixed at 30%. Mass flow rate and ammonia mass fraction of the generated vapor stream are characterized as is the heat exchange effectiveness of the various heat exchange desorbers. The effects of operating or exit plenum pressure and channel height on desorption and heat transfer characteristics are considered. Microscale channels are employed for enhanced heat and mass transport. The branching nature of the flow network is employed for flow symmetry and low pressure drop penalties. An operational model is generated to correctly size and efficiently integrate the desorber into an absorption cycle.