Advanced Design Heat Exchanger Formed by Metal Additive Manufacturing

Executive Summary

Heat exchangers are common process units used in the chemical, oil and gas, manufacturing and energy sectors. Their efficient design that encompasses efficient heat transfer, low cost and longevity is critical to their success. Researchers at Michigan State University have recently developed a new heat exchanger concept, that uses an advanced design and metal additive manufacturing, providing improved heat transfer and low pressure drop.

Description of the Technology

The technology is a method of making a heat exchanger components based on laser sintering of a powder metal, pressing the metal powder with a fluid then sintering and pressing combining the benefits of both flat plate heat exchangers and microchannel heat exchangers. The design includes CFD optimized mm-scale 3D features made possible by the additive manufacturing process.

Benefits

• Allows production of less expensive and smaller size than traditional heat exchangers
• Resistant to corrosion
• Improved heat transfer
• Low pressure drop
• High strength, creep resistant material
• Extends the operational range for indirect heat exchange to extreme conditions (cold side pressures of 250 bar and hot side inlet temperatures up to 1100°C)
• Compact and modular flat-plate design allows scalability at low cost

Applications

• Heat exchangers
• Equipment for supercritical CO₂ power cycles

Patent Status

Issued US Patent US 12,313,352

Licensing Rights

Full licensing rights available

Inventors

Dr. Patrick Kwon, Dr. Haseung Chung, Dr. James Klausner, Dr. Andre Benard, Dr. Himanshu Sahasrabudhe

TECH ID

TEC2019-0149