Characterization of various losses in a cryogenic counterflow heat exchanger

A detailed assessment of irreversibility, predominantly heat in-leak and axial wall conduction, is essential in accurately predicting the performance of high effectiveness heat exchangers employed in cryogenic applications. Integration into a refrigeration system as well requires consideration of parasitic heat loss by conduction from exchanger cold end to the adjacent components. Governing equations incorporating these effects in a counterflow exchanger are solved numerically and the model predictions evaluated for heat exchanger ineffectiveness and heat loss by conduction. The optimum performance mandates minimization of both. Although ineffectiveness decreases at higher longitudinal conduction, cold end loss increases with deterioration of the overall performance. Utilizing lower heat capacity rate hot fluid, nevertheless, reduces the cold end loss. Heat in-leak is relatively high with concurrent consideration of axial wall conduction and has adverse consequence on heat exchanger effectiveness. Analysis of the net heat transferred to lower stages of refrigeration reveals a critical NTU.