Design and Manufacturing of High Performance, Reduced Charge Heat Exchangers

Abstract

A framework of stress analysis and fatigue analysis was developed. Utilizing the framework, stress analysis and fatigue analysis of high-performance heat exchangers with non-round shaped tubes were studied. The tubes, headers and welding layers were studied separately before analyzing the assembled heat exchangers. Results reveal different stress strength on the different shapes of tubes and headers. Unevenly welding distribution is also discussed in the report. Moreover, the fatigue analysis results of the heat exchanger are helping to estimate the lifetime of the heat exchanger from fatigue point of view.