AVS 47th International Symposium
    MEMS Thursday Sessions
       Session MM+BI-ThM

Paper MM+BI-ThM11
Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Cross Flow Micro Heat Exchanger

Thursday, October 5, 2000, 11:40 am, Room 309

Session: Bio-MEMS and Microfluidics
Presenter: C.R. Harris, Louisiana State University
Authors: C.R. Harris, Louisiana State University
M. Despa, Louisiana State University
K.W. Kelly, Louisiana State University
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A cross flow micro heat exchanger was designed and fabricated to maximize heat transfer from a liquid to a gas (air) for a given frontal area and pressure drop of each fluid. To accomplish the goal of high heat transfer, micro channels with scales ranging from 200 µm to 500 µm were utilized. By constraining the flow to narrow channels, heat transfer is enhanced since the convective resistance at the solid/fluid interfaces is reduced. To minimize the pressure drop associated with micro channels, air passes through the plane of the heat exchanger via thousands of parallel short channels. Heat is transferred to the air from liquid that passes in cross flow through tens of parallel channels. Predicted design performance for plastic, ceramic, and aluminum micro heat exchangers are compared to one another and to current innovative car radiators. The micro heat exchangers can transfer greater heat per mass or volume than existing heat exchangers within the context of the design constraints specified. Important applications of this technology include automotive, home heating, and aerospace fields. The heat exchanger designed for plastic was fabricated by aligning and bonding two identical polymer (PMMA) parts that had been embossed using the LIGA process. After heat exchanger assembly, liquid was pumped through the heat exchanger with no leaks. Heat transfer and pressure drop tests were performed on the fabricated polymer heat exchanger. The experimental data is compared to the design calculations and to other heat exchangers.