A Conceptual Design of Energy Exchange System for Recovery of Residual Heat Using Aluminum Foams

Open cell aluminum foams have been recently studied for its use in heat exchangers, heat sink and electronics cooling. In this paper, a conceptual design of a heat energy exchange recovering system for residual heat at low temperatures is studies for its potential industrial application. Experimental samples were produced by infiltration process using vacuum pressure. Samples with different pore sizes of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mm were obtained. The samples dimensions were 50 mm x 50 mm x 5 mm and the material was characterized by structure analysis and fluid flow (pressure drop) and heat transfer measurements under transitory and steady state conditions. The experimentation carried on in regards of the fluid flow and heat transfer properties, shown that these two properties are extremely dependent on the pore size of the aluminum foam. In this preliminary study, the thermo-physical characteristics of the aluminum foams useful for energy exchange system in recuperating of residual heat (heat transfer efficiency, transfer time, amount of heat transferred and pressure drop generated), had been presented and used to create a conceptual design. From the tested parameters, the best foam structure and some process parameters have been established for a conceptual design a heat exchanger for a heat recovery system.