Polymeric Hollow-Fiber Bundles as Immersed Heat Exchangers

摘要

Plastic immersed heat exchangers are used in various applications where chemically neutral and noncorrosive equipment is required. Their potential competitors, namely, polymeric hollow-fiber bundles, were investigated. Three different fiber bundles were tested as immersed coolers of a hot reservoir. Two types of polypropylene hollow fibers with various outside diameters were employed. Fibers were twisted with different curvature to achieve better distribution and improve natural convection on their outer surface. Calculation by experimental results was compared with the equation for natural convection across the horizontal cylinder, which overestimates heat transfer coefficients and can be applied for only rough estimation. Experimentally achieved pressure drops agreed well with theoretical prediction for laminar flow.