抄録
It has been proposed that compact ceramic heat exchangers can be used for high temperature, corrosive applications. This paper discusses the development and optimization of a microchannel heat exchanger for the decomposition of sulfuric acid as part of the hydrogen producing sulfur iodine thermochemical cycle. The optimization process combines thermalhydraulic and structural modelling (UNLV) with empirical corrosion, performance and validation testing (Ceramatec, Inc.). The optimization process included an investigation of various materials of construction based on material, mechanical and corrosion properties. Within the designs investigated, micro-channel features were varied to adjust the cross-sectional profiles and the "tortuosity" of the serpentine flow paths to increase the thermal performance while maintaining low pressure drops and thermo-mechanical stresses within system. The results of these coupled optimization efforts and the associated overall performance improvement will be reported.
