On April 17, 2019, GE Research is advancing a project through the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E), hoping to develop high-temperature, high-pressure and ultra-compact heat exchangers through additive technology.
In collaboration with the University of Maryland and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, GE has developed an ultra-high-performance heat exchanger that can operate at temperatures in excess of 1,650 ° F and pressures> 3,600 psi. This new heat exchanger enables cleaner and more efficient power generation on existing and next-generation power plant platforms.
Peter deBock, chief thermal engineer and project leader for the ARPA-E award at GE Research, said the team's unique skill set will result in a new heat exchanger design that breaks new efficiency barriers. "We are leveraging our deep knowledge in metal and thermal management to apply it in an unprecedented way through the power of 3D printing. With 3D printing, we can now implement new design architectures that were previously impossible. This will enable us to create A "UPHEAT" device that can operate cost-effectively at temperatures 250 ° C (450 ° F) higher than today's heat exchangers. "
deBock points out that heat exchangers function similarly to the human lung. "The lung is the ultimate heat exchanger that circulates the air you breathe to maintain optimal performance of the body while regulating the body's temperature. The heat exchangers in power generation equipment like gas turbines basically perform the same function, but at higher levels Under temperature and pressure. Through additive manufacturing, GE and the University of Maryland will now explore more complex biological shapes and designs to achieve gradual changes in heat exchanger performance, thereby achieving higher efficiency and lower emissions. "
The new heat exchanger will utilize a unique high-temperature, crack-resistant nickel superalloy specifically designed for the additive manufacturing process of the GE research team. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will use its well-known expertise in corrosion science to test and verify the long-term performance of materials. After completion, the heat exchanger will improve the thermal efficiency of the indirect heating power cycle, such as supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Bretton power generation, reducing energy consumption and emissions. In addition, heat-resistant heat exchangers offer new opportunities for advanced aerospace applications.