MODELING OF ROTARY REGENERATORS

Authors

Abstract

The rotary regenerators are the type of compact heat exchangers that thermal energy of hot gas is absorbed by the matrix and then released to a cold gas stream. Mathematical analysis of this type of heat exchangers and the effect of various parameters has a considerable effect in improving their performance. In this paper, the mathematical model for fluid and thermal analysis of matrix is used. In the model, the effects of heat conduction in the direction of the fluid flow, rotating speed of the wheel and time are considered. The model is solved in the visual basic program. The effect of various parameters such as rotating speed of the wheel, the fluid flow of hot and cold stream and mass of matrix on dynamic responses are analyzed. Results showed that with increase of length and rotating speed of the wheel, the yield increased. With the increase of diameter, the yield increased initially, reached to a maximum and then decreased. The numerical results are compared with experimental measurements. Results showed that predicted results were matching satisfactorily with the experimental results.

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