Enhancing System Efficiency Through Topological Design of Heat Exchangers

Hydrogen-electric powered airplanes represent a significant leap toward sustainable aviation. However, unlike traditional aircraft, they necessitate superior optimization of heat exchangers to accommodate their distinct cooling requirements. A substantial amount of heat must be effectively dissipated while minimizing cooling drag. To address this challenge, an existing plate-fin heat exchanger design with offset fins has been modified to enhance its aero-thermal performance, specifically by optimizing the j/f1/3 ratio. In this revised design, a physical spacing, denoted as “e” has been introduced between each row of fins. The impact of varying the spacing ratio e/Lf (where Lf is the fin length) has been systematically evaluated. To achieve optimal results, a hybrid approach combining precise local optimization through full periodic Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and a thorough global optimization of the heat exchanger itself has been conducted. The results suggest a notable increase in the j/f1/3 ratio compared to configurations with no spacing between the fin rows, maximizing the benefits that can be obtained from the global optimization of the heat exchanger.