SCREEN HEAT-EXCHANGER PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

The performance of stainless steel screen regenerator stacks (500 mesh) has been investigated at relatively small flow rates in comparison to conventional operation close to the laminar-turbulent transition range. A modified 'single blow' technique was used initially, and an additional comparative procedure is employed to deduce heat transfer rate ratios with respect to a single-wire reference case of heat transfer. The data obtained are two orders of magnitude below 'classical' room temperature values at low Reynolds numbers (Re); (Re based on the Darcy law-related characteristic length; Re < 1). The fluid is cold nitrogen from a liquid bath at atmospheric pressure.