HEAT EXCHANGE MATRIX

HEAT EXCHANGE MATRIX THE FUNCTION OF A HEAT EXCHANGER IS DEPENDENT UPON THE AREA OF EXPOSURE TO THE FLUIDS IN PROCESS. FINS ARE COMMONLY USED TO INCREASE EXTERNAL SURFACE AREAS. TO EXTEND THE INNER SURFACE OF A TUBE OR VESSEL IS MORE DIFFICULT AND THERE IS CURRENTLY NO COST EFFECTIVE METHOD TO DO SO. THIS REDEARCH IS TO DEVELOP THE USE OF A MATRIX COMPOSED OF SMALL, HOLLOW, METAL CYLINDERS, BRAZED TOGETHER AT THEIR CONTACT POINTS AS A HEAT TRANFER MATRIX. ENCAPSULATING THIS MATRIX IN TUBES EXTENDS THE TUBEINNER AREA. THE MATRIX HAS A HIGH AREA/WEIGHT RATIO AND IS RIGID AND LIGHT WEIGHT, AND IS VIRBRATION AND SHOCK RESISTANT. A PRIORITY APPLICATION IS ONE FOR USE WITHIN U.S. ARMY COMBAT TANKS.