Refractory high entropy alloy compact heat exchanger
| DWPI Title: Refractory high entropy alloy compact heat exchanger for use in a power plant operation i.e. super-critical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle, comprises flow channels constructed of a refractory high entropy alloy |
| Abstract: Several innovative technologies, including pressure-drop minimization, advanced refractory high entropy alloys, and advanced manufacturing can provide a compact heat exchanger that extends the state-of-the-art heat-exchanger operating range. The compact heat exchanger can reduce pressure drop losses by 100 to 500%, while retaining most of the heat transfer. The compact heat exchanger can be fabricated from refractory high entropy alloys that have favorable corrosion, thermal fatigue, and creep properties at high temperatures and pressures. Therefore, the compact heat exchanger using high entropy alloys can operate at >800° C. and 80 bars. |
| Use: Refractory high entropy alloy compact heat exchanger for use in a power plant operation i.e. super-critical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle. |
| Advantage: The refractory high entropy alloy has an estimated compressive yield strength of about 1,300 MPa at room temperature and a temperature range of up to 1,400 K. The diameter of the flow channels is optimized to minimize pressure drop while maintaining sufficient mixing for heat transfer. The compact heat exchanger can be fabricated using conventional manufacturing or an advanced manufacturing process. |
| Novelty: The compact heat exchanger comprises flow channels constructed of a refractory high entropy alloy, where a hydraulic diameter of the flow channels is 2-3 mm and the flow of working fluid in the channels has a Reynolds Number of 2,200-4000 to minimize pressure drop while maintaining turbulent mixing for heat transfer. The alloy comprises 4% of the 5-35 at.% of at least four of the refractive metals, e.g. titanium, vanadium, chromium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum, and tungsten. |
| Filed: 2/25/2020 |
| Application Number: US16800207A |
| Tech ID: SD 14916.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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