Microchannel bonded panel and heat exchange system

Abstract

A micro-channeled panel heat exchange system is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: one or more micro-channeled panels, each micro-channeled panel having micro-channels fabricated internally within each micro-channeled panel for transfer of a working fluid, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels having a cover layer diffusion bonded or brazed to the micro-channels, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels having a thickness of no more than two millimeters, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels being twisted into a non-orthogonal shape; and one or more manifolds coupled to the one or more micro-channeled panels to circulate the working fluid through the micro-channels within each micro-channeled panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A micro-channeled panel heat exchange system comprising:
 one or more micro-channeled panels, each micro-channeled panel having micro-channels fabricated internally within each micro-channeled panel for transfer of a working fluid, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels having a cover layer diffusion bonded or brazed to the micro-channels, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels having a thickness of no more than two millimeters, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels being twisted into a non-orthogonal shape; and   one or more manifolds coupled to the one or more micro-channeled panels to circulate the working fluid through the micro-channels within each micro-channeled panel.   
     
     
         2 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1  wherein each micro-channeled panel is fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of: stainless steel alloys, SS300 series, titanium, nickel alloys, ferretics, and carbon steel. 
     
     
         3 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more manifolds are fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of: aluminum, copper, titanium, carbon steel, and nickel alloys. 
     
     
         4 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1  wherein each micro-channeled panel is fabricated using a process selected from a group consisting of: chemical etching, an additive process, a laser-based process, electrochemical machining (ECM), electrical discharge machining (EDM), computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining, mechanical machining, and grinding. 
     
     
         5 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is selected from a group consisting of: carbon dioxide, helium, water, hydrogen, molten salt, liquid metals, and supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2). 
     
     
         6 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more micro-channeled panels is formed into a spiral shape. 
     
     
         7 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1  further including a heated exhaust gas conduit, the one or more micro-channeled panels being installed within the heated exhaust gas conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The micro-channeled panel heat exchange system of  claim 1  wherein surfaces of each of the one or more micro-channeled panels include heat transfer enhancing features. 
     
     
         9 . A method for fabricating a micro-channeled panel heat exchange system, the method comprising:
 fabricating one or more micro-channeled panels, each micro-channeled panel having micro-channels fabricated internally within each micro-channeled panel for transfer of a working fluid, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels having a cover layer diffusion bonded or brazed to the micro-channels, each of the one or more micro-channeled panels having a thickness of no more than two millimeters;   twisting the one or more micro-channeled panels into a non-orthogonal shape;   coupling one or more manifolds to each of the one or more micro-channeled panels to circulate the working fluid through the micro-channels within each micro-channeled panel; and   enabling passage of heated exhaust gas across surfaces of the one or more micro-channeled panels.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein each micro-channeled panel is fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of: stainless steel alloys, SS300 series, titanium, nickel alloys, ferretics, and carbon steel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the one or more manifolds are fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of: aluminum, copper, titanium, carbon steel, and nickel alloys. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein each micro-channeled panel is fabricated using a process selected from a group consisting of: chemical etching, an additive process, a laser-based process, electrochemical machining (ECM), electrical discharge machining (EDM), computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining, mechanical machining, and grinding. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the working fluid is selected from a group consisting of:
 carbon dioxide, helium, water, hydrogen, molten salt, liquid metals, and supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2). 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein each of the one or more micro-channeled panels is formed into a spiral shape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  further including providing a heated exhaust gas conduit, the one or more micro-channeled panels being installed within the heated exhaust gas conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  wherein surfaces of each of the one or more micro-channeled panels include heat transfer enhancing features.