Vortex Recuperator for Microturbine and other Applications

Dr. Artem Khalatov and his team also proposed a vortex recuperator for microturbines. The vortex technology improves the heat transfer augmentation of spiral and flat counter-flow recuperator (heat exchanger). Leading U.S. companies choose small size smooth channels operating at laminar flow condition in their microturbine recuperator designs. To insure low pressure losses, small size channels have a very short length and suffer from non-uniform flow distribution. The vortex technology introduces surface dimples on larger size recuperator channels, which create a hydrodynamic vortex grid, reducing overall pressure loss. This enables operation at higher Reynolds number in recuperator channels. This reduces the number of channels and recuperator weight, and improves the recuperator compactness. The unique thermal-hydraulic properties of surface dimples utilize microturbine waste heat and improve the heat transfer rate. This production technology includes well developed manufacturing processes including sheet punching for indentation production, laser welding of the panel sides and vacuum brazing.