United States.
The University of Maryland, through a partnership with 3D Systems and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Building Technologies. In the U.S. (DOE), they have used 3D printing to prototype a new heat exchanger.
This next-generation heat exchanger weighs 20% less, is 20% more efficient, and can be manufactured much faster, compared to current designs.
There are several advantages to 3D printing offered by researchers at the University:
Modernize the process
For decades, manufacturers have been using a type of heat exchanger known as a fin tube, without significant changes. While new, high-performance designs existed, companies have struggled to commercialize them – they were too complex to be economically manufactured with traditional processes.
But unlike traditional manufacturing, the direct metal printing process of 3D Systems allows researchers to use unconventional shapes, variables that increase the efficiency of the heat exchanger.
Improved performance, less waste
The University of Maryland optimized its heat exchanger design so that it can be printed in one piece, continuous. As a result, prototypes are increasingly resistant to pressure or leakage, resulting in better performance and reliability – and ultimately, a more effective system for heating and cooling.
What can we expect?
The heat exchanger, which acts as an evaporator and condenser, can be used in the air conditioning or heat pump of commercial and residential systems of different sizes. The new miniaturized 1 kilowatt (kW) prototype air-coolant heat exchanger paves the way for new designs that will help reduce the amount of energy used annually for HVAC.
In addition to the 1 kW model, a 10 kW prototype can also be manufactured as part of the current project. Both prototypes will be tested and demonstrated on a 3-ton heat pump.
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