Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8114503 | Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews | 2016 | 20 Pages |
Abstract
Due to their low cost, light weight and corrosive resistant features, polymer heat exchangers have been intensively studied by researchers with the aim to replace metallic heat exchangers in a wide range of applications. This paper reviews the development of polymer heat exchangers in the last decade, including cutting edge materials characteristics, heat transfer enhancement methods of polymer materials and a wide range of polymer heat exchanger applications. Theoretical modelling and experimental testing results have been reviewed and compared with literature. A recent development, the polymer micro-hollow fibre heat exchanger, is introduced and described. It is shown that polymer materials do hold promise for use in the construction of heat exchangers in many applications, but that a considerable amount of research is still required into material properties, thermal performance and life-time behaviour.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Authors
Xiangjie Chen, Yuehong Su, David Reay, Saffa Riffat,