Development of measurement method of pressure distribution inside a compact and complex heat exchanger

• We fabricate cross corrugated heat exchanger with four brazed corrugated plates.
• We measure pressure distribution inside the cross corrugated heat exchanger.
• Microchannel-embedded corrugated plate survives for whole manufacturing process.
• The static pressures explain hydrodynamic situation in the corrugated flow passage.
• The friction factor can be correlated for hydrodynamic performance.

To enhance the thermal efficiency of aero-engines, many works on numerical and experimental evaluation of cross corrugated heat exchangers for applications such as intercoolers and recuperators have been reported. However, numerical analyzes of unit cells or of corrugated flow passages in cross corrugated heat exchangers cannot be compared directly with experimental analyzes performed only at inlets and outlets. This paper presents results of the direct measurement of static pressure distribution in a corrugated flow passage: measurement was performed by embedding pressure tapping holes connected with microchannels into the corrugated plate, which had a thickness of 200 μm. Four corrugated plates were stacked and brazed to manufacture a real scale cross corrugated heat exchanger. The static pressure distribution was successfully measured inside the compact and complex heat exchanger. The friction factors for different Reynolds numbers were correlated for hydrodynamic performance evaluation. Finally, the friction factor was discussed with a consideration of the accuracy of the manufacturing of the cross corrugated heat exchanger.