Polymeric Hollow Fiber Heat Exchangers in Higher Temperatures

Abstract

– Fifteen years ago, polymeric hollow fibre heat exchangers were presented for the first time. Nowadays there are not only the shell-and-tube types as there were at the beginning. They are lightweight, easy to machine and forming. Due to the corrosion and chemical resistance, they have a potential in the chemical applications. The low thermal conductive of plastics is overcome by usage of thin wall which makes them an alternative in low temperature application. This study focusses on the special cases where the polymeric hollow fiber heat exchanger can be used in temperatures higher than recommended. Two experiments were done. The polyamide hollow fiber heat exchanger was placed inside the wind tunnel with flue gas flowed and the water at coolant side. In such a setup the heat exchanger can withstand the temperature higher than suitable for operating and even the temperature of melting point.