Optimization of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Heat Exchanger to Achieve Compactness, High Efficiency, and Low-Pressure Drop

Jian Liu (), David Cheng, Khin Oo, Wang Pan, Ty-Liyiah McCrimmon and Shuang Bai
Additional contact information
Jian Liu: PolarOnyx, Inc., 144 Old Lystra Road, Unit 2, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
David Cheng: PolarOnyx, Inc., 144 Old Lystra Road, Unit 2, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
Khin Oo: PolarOnyx, Inc., 144 Old Lystra Road, Unit 2, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
Wang Pan: PolarOnyx, Inc., 144 Old Lystra Road, Unit 2, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
Ty-Liyiah McCrimmon: PolarOnyx, Inc., 144 Old Lystra Road, Unit 2, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
Shuang Bai: PolarOnyx, Inc., 144 Old Lystra Road, Unit 2, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-21

Abstract: With advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, high-quality triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures can now be produced. TPMS walled heat exchangers (HX) hold significant potential for industrial applications and are receiving increasing attention. This paper explores the impact of various TPMS design variables on flow and thermal performance to optimize TPMS heat exchangers for compactness, high efficiency, and low pressure drop. The design variables examined include the type of TPMS lattice, unit cell size, wall thickness, aspect ratio, TPMS orientation, and equivalent thickness. The study reveals that the flow and heat transfer performance of TPMS structures are significantly affected by these design variables. For the Gyroid, Diamond, and SplitP lattices, performance is nearly identical when the surface-to-volume ratio is kept constant. The average velocity of the fluid in the TPMS HX should be 0.3 m/s. The corresponding Re is between 300~800. Thin wall thickness, small equivalent thickness, and flat lattice configurations can significantly reduce pressure drop while maintaining the overall heat transfer coefficient. Additionally, the angle between the flow direction and TPMS orientation can increase pressure drop. Three aluminum heat exchangers were successfully printed using an AM machine, and testing results are comparable with theoretical prediction.

Keywords: triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS); heat exchanger; wall thickness; aspect ratio; equivalent thickness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/20/5141/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/20/5141/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:20:p:5141-:d:1499727

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().