Compact Heat Exchanger for Micro-Turbine-Based Cooling, Heating, and Power

75580-Conventional hot water heat exchangers, which utilize waste heat from micro-turbines, are large, heavy, and costly, limiting the application of micro-turbine-based Combined Heat and Power systems to institutional, commercial, and residential markets. This project will develop a compact heat exchanger that utilizes special internal heat transfer augmentation features, reducing heat exchanger size and weight by 60% and 68%, respectively, at a reasonable cost. In Phase I, the compact heat exchanger will be designed for an application of interest and performance will be projected. The performance projections will then be tested in a combustion facility. Lastly, the design and performance projections will be updated, and the technical and economic feasibility of using the concept in Combined Heat and Power Systems will be evaluated. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The compact heat exchanger should find use in institutional, commercial, and even high end residential Combined Heat and Power systems. These applications should result in fuel cost, fuel use, and greenhouse gas reductions of $3.4billion/year, 766 million MM Btu/year, and 41.7 million tons/year, respectively.