Kelvion Thermal Solutions (KTS) has unveiled an innovative channel pattern for its flagship K°BOND printed circuit heat exchanger, marking a significant milestone in the realm of thermal engineering. This cutting-edge design is poised to redefine the landscape of supercritical CO2 power cycles and the compression of natural gas and hydrogen, earning acclaim as a true ‘game changer’ in the industry.
The development of this breakthrough design has been accompanied by the creation of two prototypes—one featuring the traditional zig-zag channel and the other incorporating the novel channel pattern. Both prototypes have undergone rigorous testing at facilities within Technische Universität Wien, demonstrating their efficacy and reliability in real-world conditions.
To ensure optimal performance, the channel pattern has undergone exhaustive testing, including mechanical finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations. These tests have been instrumental in refining the shape of the channels, thereby enhancing heat transfer efficiency while simultaneously reducing pressure losses.
Aligned with a dual objective, the project aims to identify the ideal additive for reducing the size and boosting the efficiency of the power block. Additionally, it seeks to develop tailored heat exchanger designs, particularly for air-cooled condensers, optimized to operate with the innovative fluid. These endeavors are crucial as they promise significant reductions in both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX), laying the foundation for more cost-effective and sustainable industrial processes.