Model the heat transfer of a heat exchanger

Lught works, among other things, on ventilation and temperature control in various spaces. In new spaces, regulating these air variables can be particularly challenging. With the help of a predictive model, this design process can be simplified.

Lught specializes in the transfer of thermal energy between two separate fluids for cooling or heating with a small temperature difference. The liquid or gaseous fluids are usually water or air, respectively. It is essential here that the pressure drop on both the water side and, in particular, the air side is small. This is due to the required pump and fan power on the one hand and the directly related generated noise on the other hand. In its factory in Oldenzaal, Lught produces both air/air (pneumatic) and air/water (hydraulic) heat exchangers that can be installed in different appliances, whether or not combined.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lught is a manufacturer of innovative decentralized air handling units. The air is sustainably filtered, ventilated, heated or cooled, and/or treated to reduce the transfer of bioagents. Lught produces its own unique heat exchangers in Oldenzaal, which are distinguished by their high heat transfer efficiency in a compact volume, resulting in low temperature differences and low pressure drop. Lught’s customers include schools, offices, vertical farms, greenhouse horticultures, and industries.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Employees at Lught are currently relying on their own expertise to fulfill specialized product requests from the field. As a result, new situations that deviate from the standard situation are mainly approached through ‘trial and error’

An example of such a new situation is a large vertical greenhouse for crops equipped with heat regulation. Lught lacks a model for this application area and would like to gain more insight through detailed modeling of heat exchangers, culminating in a ‘simulation package’. This will enable Lught’s designers to approach more specialized situations from multiple solution directions, compare different designs, and better assess the feasibility of the solution. Furthermore, this will lead to further optimization of the heat exchange process, making the product even more sustainable.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

Create a model in a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program for the heat exchangers, allowing you to adjust various parameters. Examples of these parameters include: the diameter of the pipes, longitudinal and lateral pitch, desired inlet and outlet temperatures, etc. Validate this model in a physical environment with the assistance of Lught. Ultimately, the model will provide insight into the heat exchange process, thereby making future projects in new situations easier to implement.