High Performance Micro-Channel Cross Flow Heat Exchangers

The performance of a micro-channel gas-liquid cross flow heat exchanger, manufactured by the LIGA technique is presented. Large heat transfer coefficients are achieved on the gas side by achieving gas-flow passage dimensions as low as 300 microns. Cross flow heat exchanger panels have been produced as large as 20 cm by 15 cm. These panels can be arranged in a variety of ways to produce heat exchangers capable of handling large thermal loads. Experimental results have shown that these heat exchangers are approximately one order of magnitude better, in terms of heat transfer per unit volume, than the commercially available tube-fin heat exchangers with characteristic cross flow channel dimensions that are typically three times larger.