Low Cost Microchannel Heat Exchangers

Although microchannel heat exchangers can greatly reduce heat exchanger size and weight, they are too expensive for most applications because of high fabrication costs. This project will develop an innovative heat exchanger that uses low-cost materials and a low-precision fabrication technique, in order to reduce heat exchanger cost by 58%. Volume and weight will be reduced by 98% and 72%, respectively, compared to conventional plate and fin heat exchangers. In Phase I, the innovative microchannel heat exchanger will be designed, and the fabrication approach will be evaluated. A heat exchanger then will be built and tested to prove manufacturability and performance. Lastly, design and performance projections will be updated, and costs will be estimated, to determine technical and economic feasibility. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The heat exchangers should find use in energy, power, refining, chemical processing, hydrocarbon gas, and liquefied natural gas applications. If adapted to high volume applications, such as air conditioning, cost savings could be over $100 million/year.