Ultra Performance Heat Exchanger is 3D-printed by GE Research

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The GE Research dept is leading a $2.5 MM project through the Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (ARPA-E) High-Intensity Thermal Exchange through Materials and Manufacturing Processes program (HITEMMP) to develop a high temperature, high pressure and super-compact heat exchanger enabled by 3D printing technology.

GE is partnering with the University of Maryland and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop an Ultra Performance Heat Exchanger that will operate at temperatures exceeding 1,650 °F and pressures >3,600 psi. The novel heat exchanger that would enable cleaner, more efficient power generation in both existing and next-generation power plant platforms.

We’re taking our deep knowledge in metals and thermal management and applying it in ways we couldn’t have before through the power of 3D printing, With 3D printing, we can now achieve new design architectures previously not possible. And this will allow us to create an ‘UPHEAT’ device that can operate cost effectively at temperatures 250°C (450°F) degrees higher than today’s heat exchangers.”

– Peter deBock,  Principal Thermal Engineer for GE Research and project leader

deBock noted that heat exchangers perform a similar function to the lungs in the human body. “Lungs are the ultimate heat exchanger, circulating the air you breathe to keep the body functioning at peak performance while also regulating your body’s temperature. Heat exchangers in power generation equipment like a gas turbine essentially perform the same function, but at much higher temperatures and pressures. With additive manufacturing, GE and the University of Maryland will now explore more intricate biological shapes and designs to enable a step change in heat exchanger performance that delivers higher efficiency and lower emissions.”

The new heat exchanger will leverage a unique, high-temperature capable, crack-resistant nickel superalloy, designed specifically for the additive manufacturing process by the team at GE Research. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will leverage their well-known expertise in corrosion science to test and validate the materials long term performance. When completed, the heat exchanger will enable increased thermal efficiency of indirect heated power cycles such as supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton power generation, reducing energy consumption and emissions. In addition, high-temperature capable heat exchangers offer new opportunities in advanced aerospace applications.

The goal of the 2.5-year program is to develop and demonstrate the 3D printed heat exchanger at full temperature and pressure capabilities.

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Thomas 3Ders.org GE Research uses 3D printing to design Ultra Performance Heat Exchanger http://www.3ders.org/articles/20190416-ge-research-uses-3d-printing-to-design-ultra-performance-heat-exchanger.html published on Apr16, 2019 and re-edited by João Andrade on Apr19, 2019;

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