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A Mass Computation Model for Lightweight Brayton Cycle Regenerator Heat ExchangersBased on a theoretical analysis of convective heat transfer across large internal surface areas, this paper discusses the design implications for generating lightweight gas-gas heat exchanger designs by packaging such areas into compact three-dimensional shapes. Allowances are made for hot and cold inlet and outlet headers for assembly of completed regenerator (or recuperator) heat exchanger units into closed cycle gas turbine flow ducting. Surface area and resulting volume and mass requirements are computed for a range of heat exchanger effectiveness values and internal heat transfer coefficients. Benefit cost curves show the effect of increasing heat exchanger effectiveness on Brayton cycle thermodynamic efficiency on the plus side, while also illustrating the cost in heat exchanger required surface area, volume, and mass requirements as effectiveness is increased. The equations derived for counterflow and crossflow configurations show that as effectiveness values approach unity, or 100 percent, the required surface area, and hence heat exchanger volume and mass tend toward infinity, since the implication is that heat is transferred at a zero temperature difference. To verify the dimensional accuracy of the regenerator mass computational procedure, calculation of a regenerator specific mass, that is, heat exchanger weight per unit working fluid mass flow, is performed in both English and SI units. Identical numerical values for the specific mass parameter, whether expressed in lb/(lb/sec) or kg/(kg/sec), show the dimensional consistency of overall results.
Document ID
20100026667
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Juhasz, Albert J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
July 25, 2010
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics
Report/Patent Number
E-17357
Report Number: E-17357
Meeting Information
Meeting: IECEC 2010
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
Start Date: July 25, 2010
End Date: July 28, 2010
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 199008.02.010663.09
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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