Model & approach
- Perform preliminary thermal sizing with established heat-transfer methods
- Cross-check the coupled temperature and flow field with CFD
Project study
Helical-coil heat-exchanger design
Analytical heat-exchanger sizing and thermal CFD were combined to assess cooling duty, outlet state and flow resistance in a compact helical-coil system.
Engineering question
A compact heat exchanger had to be sized without treating pressure loss, media routing and available geometry as separate questions.
Boundary conditions
- Gas and coolant sides with project-specific inlet and outlet states
- Geometry, media and pressure variants within one sizing logic
Results of the assessment
- The analytical model and CFD described the same thermal design trend for the completed base case.
- Additional calculation variants extended preliminary sizing to other media and pressure states.
Engineering consequence
The combined method provided a traceable basis for coil geometry, media routing and subsequent detailed design.
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