Two-circuit recupertive heat exchanger with interchannel motion of the coolant in metallic mesh

Abstract

The paper considers a dual-circuit recuperator using the principle of interchannel movement of coolant through a porous metal mesh. This interchannel coolant movement schematic and the metal mesh manufactured via vacuum diffusion welding of woven metal meshes form the basis for developing compact high-performance recuperators for aircraft. Employing porous metal mesh materials characterised by a well-developed heat exchange surface and transitioning from conventional longitudinal coolant movement within channels to interchannel coolant movement through metal meshes are the factors that ensure operation at low Reynolds numbers and maximum heat exchange efficiency. The principle of interchannel coolant movement combined with the intermesh coolant movement within the metal mesh yields a highly efficient porous heat exchange path, leading in turn to developing a recuperator featuring interchannel coolant movement that will enable greater heat exchange efficiency than that provided by the best finned heat exchangers.