Computational Design and Experimental Demonstration of a Novel High Efficiency PCM Heat Exchanger

The thermal management system (TMS) within the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) can experience thermal overload during certain flight segments. During these segments it would be advantageous to store some of the excess thermal energy, and reject it via the normal heat rejection avenues at a later time when the thermal load is not excessive. Mainstream proposes an innovative thermal energy storage heat exchanger based on traditional phase change materials (PCMs) such as paraffins or hydrated salts. Mainstream"s concept eliminates the technological concerns typical associated with PCM heat exchangers such as: volumetric expansion, poor axial and radial thermal conductivity, and performance degradation after multiple melt/recharge cycles. Mainstream"s solution addresses these challenges by utilizing advanced materials, and an innovative heat exchanger design that significantly improves axial and radial conductivity, and eliminates the negative impact of volumetric expansion of the PCM. Mainstream has also already developed a multiphysics, multi-phase finite element model of a PCM heat exchanger that will aid in the design process and identify the optimal embodiment of the proposed heat exchanger innovations.