System and method for constructing heat exchanger

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to various types and/or structures of heat exchangers and to methods of making and/or using such heat exchangers. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a system and method for constructing a microchannel gas-to-working fluid heat exchanger. In another embodiment, there is disclosed a power generation cycle that employs a heat exchanger that serves as a regenerative heat exchanger.

1 . A gas-to-working fluid heat exchanger comprising:
 (a) a plurality of fins designed to contain at least one working fluid, wherein each of the plurality of fins contain therein one or more microchannels, mesochannels, or minichannels designed to permit the movement of the at least one working fluid through the one or more microchannels, mesochannels, or minichannels;   (b) the plurality of fins being arranged in a horizontally and vertically spaced array or stages with an “offset strip” geometry so that heat transfer on the gas side of the heat exchanger is enhanced by frequent break-up of the fluid boundary layer, creating a turbulent boundary layer at the upper and lower heat transfer surfaces downstream of and/or adjacent to the microchannel fins; and   (c) a plurality of cross-flow and/or counter-flow working fluid paths designed to permit the progression of working fluid flow through adjacent sets and/or stages of fins in the heater core in order to create a counter-flow to the flow of the gas through the heat exchanger thereby resulting in a heat exchanger having a core effectiveness that is more effective than either a conventional counter-flow or cross-flow heat exchanger geometry.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is at least one gas and/or supercritical gas or fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is selected from ambient air, hot air, cold air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, combustion gases or waste heat exhaust. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is selected from carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, air, ammonia, or combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A thermal management system as shown and described herein, wherein the thermal management system is based on, includes, or is a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . A method for constructing and/or producing a thermal management system as shown and described herein, wherein the thermal management system is based on, includes, or is a heat exchanger.