Project: Virtual platform for design and optimization of compact Heat Exchangers
The complexity of heat removal/transfer is linked to the interaction of several factors and variables. Heat exchange depends on the characteristics of the fluids used, on the geometry and dimensions of the heat exchanger (HE), on the geometry and dimension of the heat transfer surface, on the working conditions such as temperature, pressure and flow rate, on the fluid flows characteristics, on the climatic and operative conditions._x000D_In the HE industry usually the knowledge in this field is limited to a specific, and as a consequence narrow, field of application. Exceptions exist in which more advanced knowledge and more fundamental approaches are applied (i.e. aeronautics and aerospace). _x000D_The challenge for future development of innovative solutions for HEs is to combine scientific and engineering approaches to tackle the objective of enlarging and deepening the industrial knowledge leading high technology products and processes._x000D_The Swiss R&D project “DAPHNE” was a first attempt in this sense. The DAPHNE project allowed Hydac to develop and acquire a design and analysis tool useful to the R&D division to explore a wide scenario of geometries and working conditions for what was called the “cellular element” of a compact HE core. This cellular element represents the smallest part in which a HE core can be divided still COtaining the structure of the cross flow channels. In fact, this element contains all the important geometrical information of the air and liquid ducts and, most important, allows to reproduce the effects of their coupling. _x000D_The software produced in the DAPHNE project is a KBS, i.e. a Knowledge Based System. The DAPHNE-KBS offers a big support to the HE core design procedure, but, at the moment, it can covers only the “cellular element”. There is still a large difference between the performances of this elementary part of the HE and the whole component. The experimental measurements performed by the R&D department at HYDAC furnish a lot of data on complete HE performances which are difficult to “scale down” to the cellular HE element. _x000D_This important issue led HYDAC and the OptimHEX project Ps to look for a solution that can fill this technological gap: creating a sort of “bridge” which can make possible to connect the HE cellular element forecast performances with the complete, real scale, HE performances. This “bridge” will represent the core engine of a Virtual HE Design Platform able to directly interface the existing KBS with the HYDAC experimental procedures and the design software already used by HYDAC. _x000D__x000D_The CO objectives of the OptimHEX project are summarized in the following. _x000D_Scientific objectives: to extend the study from the behavior of a HE “cellular element” to a real scale HYDAC product; this means to study and develop a novel approach, technically called “bridge”, able to rebuild, from the virtual elementary HE element information, the performance of an entire, real scale, HE. _x000D_Technological objectives: to develop a sw or a combination of sw packages able to create a robust interface from the extended KBS and the R&D test procedures; this will be the OptimHEX Design Platform that will make possible to organically and continuously organize the information flow in the development triangle: Simulation-Experimental Tests-Design. _x000D_Economical objectives: to built a design environment, aiming to create HE virtual models by targeting HE performance, optimal use of material, HE minimal weight and optimal manufacturability. This means that the HE design procedures at HYDAC will be driven by tools able to target products optimized in terms of production processes, material used, expected performances, and energy efficiency. _x000D__x000D_The proposed objectives will be pursuit starting from the results gathered from the DAPHNE project and by broadening the simulation target from the HE core element to the whole heat exchanger. This will imply to integrate the existing KBS with other mathematical models, such as: _x000D_- energy and exergy analysis applied to target the HE performances; _x000D_- design of experiments (DOE) and optimization techniques applied to search optimal design and energy efficient solutions;_x000D_- automatic procedures for producing and interfacing virtual results with R&D experimental data. _x000D__x000D_The project consortium is formed by:_x000D_HYDAC AG brache of Mezzovico: Swiss company that produces compact plate-fin HE for industrial and mobile sectors. _x000D_SUPSI – ICIMSI: the Institute for computer integrated manufactoring belonging to the Department of Innovative Technologies of SUPSI. _x000D_ESTECO srl: a software company in the private sector which operates in the field of numerical optimization and simulation covering the IT-related aspects of the design process. _x000D_UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE: Department of Mechanical and Naval Engineering of the University of Trieste
| Acronym | OptimHEX (Reference Number: 6853) |
| Duration | 02/01/2013 - 15/10/2015 |
| Project Topic | The innovative approach for designing compact heat exchanger brings a sw tool, based on the calibrated blend of computers simulations and design experience and validated against experiments. It will target design time optimization, reduction of energy consumption, and maximization of performances. |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
The CO result of the project has been the realization of a virtual platform for the optimization of Heat Exchangers (HE), based on our software modeFRONTIER._x000D_In the realization of this platform, the Engineering team of ESTECO has gained large knowledge in various disciplines, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics, Process Automation, structured Meshing procedures, Meta-modelling, Optimization in Heat Transfer field and others, all aspects that we face often in the support activities with our customers._x000D_In addition, the platform has already been presented to the public in various conferences and workshops and it will be presented again in the future, offering us a valid marketing opportunity as a successful proof of concept for our optimization technology. |
| Network | Eurostars |
| Call | Eurostars Cut-Off 7 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | ESTECO Srl | Partner | Italy |
| 4 | HYDAC AG - Branch of Mezzovico | Coordinator | Switzerland |
| 4 | Università degli Studi di Trieste | Partner | Italy |
| 4 | University of Applied Science and Arts of Southern Switzerland | Partner | Switzerland |