Performance analysis of a novel compact air-air heat exchanger for aircraft gas turbine engine using LMTD method

In this article, a new compact cross-flow air-air heat exchanger is designed using logarithmic mean temperature difference method (LMTD) and its performance is experimentally investigated with optimized structure. The designed heat exchanger weights 2.04 kg which is able to cool the high temperature air from high pressure compressor in aero engine for more than 200 K (in certain cases) in a very limited space by using the coolant air from bypass duct. A comparison between calculated results and the obtained experimental data is presented and discussed. Results show good agreement between the current calculations and experimental data. It also reveals that the present design method is proved to be relatively accurate in predicting the performance of the compact air-air heat exchanger for all the investigated structures. What's more, a new empirical correlation for the outside heat transfer coefficient is established using Wilson plot method in the current study. The correlation will be helpful for the researchers to design new air-air heat exchangers.