micro precision heat exchangers
Tecan is in a unique position to design heat exchangers for manufacture in a way that others cannot. We have a proven track record in working with market leading organisations to optimise the qualities of a heat exchanger to improve critical features such as surface area and fluid turbulence for the most demanding of applications.
In a compact environment, heat exchangers need to have a smaller footprint, leading to more efficient designs offered by the plate heat exchangers and PCHEs we produce. Sophisticated heat exchanger designs can also enhance safety by reducing the potential for leaks, improving active cooling capabilities, and allowing for better control over temperature and pressure levels within the reactor system.
These specialised pieces of equipment are designed to meet the growing requirement for finer and finer apertures with faster and faster output. It demands analysis and consideration of modeling of the fluid dynamics of droplet /particle size- whether gases, liquids, sugars, starches etc – or even light.
Chemical etching is an efficient way to produce large volumes of channels that can be bonded to create a contiguous block with high porosity. We can produce complex designs, with a precision as low as 10μm and with a low tooling cost. The process significantly reduces limitations on channels, ridgetops, headers, collectors and port features. Etching removes mechanical or thermal stress and leaves no compound planarity. Almost any metal can be used, even highly corrosion-resistant ones.
Our specialist engineers elevate a heat exchanger design with their knowledge and experience around key factors such as the choice of material to withstand high temperatures, pressures, and corrosive environments. It is essential to address thermal conductivity, strength, corrosion resistance, weight as well as thickness of material. In addition, thermal efficiency and optimisation are complex challenges, requiring careful consideration of factors such as fluid dynamics and heat transfer coefficients.
considerations:
• variability of the channel depth, and its relationship to width
• ridgetop width to facilitate bonding between layers
• pillars (standoffs or contact points) that generate turbulence in the flow, so to enhance heat transfer between liquid & plate
• curvature of channel paths
• material selection to maximise liquid pressure and flow, therefore increasing removal of heat
see also: the role of heat exchangers in a small modular reactor
