Temperature Distribution Predictions
Cross Sectional Views of Electric Heat Exchanger
Using CFD simulation for thermal performance prediction can dramatically reduce the amount of physical prototypes and test work required which will either reduce product development lead times, the cost to the client or enhance the quality of the product received by the client.
VULCANIC, electrical heating and cooling solutions for industry.
Vulcanic UK Ltd – www.vulcanic.com
Vulcanic offers a range of products for industrial heating (heating fluid, heating liquid, air heating, heating of solids, infrared heating): heating elements, screw immersion heaters, flow heaters, heating cables, heating panels, heating hoses, heating cartridges, band heaters, electrical industrial radiators, fan heaters, finned strip heaters, air duct heaters…
Vulcanic also offers products suitable for temperature measurement and control: thermostats, temperature sensors, temperature probes, pt100 sensors, thermocouples, indicators, measuring transducers, temperature controllers, power units, control panels.
Vulcanic provides a full range temperature control, cooling and Industrial air conditioning: temperature control unit for water or oil medium, hot, hot/cold and hot/cool, air conditioners for electrical cabinets, heat exchangers air/water, chillers…
‘In order to help validate the performance of a be-spoke electric heating solution, as quickly as possible, from a demanding client specification, Vulcanic commissioned 8020 Engineering to provide some additional consultancy assistance to their design team in Dereham, UK. Shown below is a brief summary of a CFD study carried out on a concept electric heat exchanger element.’
Vulcanic – Case Study Work
(Some of the case study results shown)
Managing the gas flow paths within and around the heat exchanger tubes efficiently can substantially reduce operating temperatures and eliminate the likelihood of ‘hotspots’. Using a Simerics-MP CFD simulation, a complete three-dimensional thermal map can be obtained from any operational conditions and once a concept is selected further simulations can be carried to refine the idea or test the impact of manufacturing or material specification constraints.
CFD techniques also helped design engineers at Vulcanic really understand why the heating element has certain behavioural characteristics. The fluid flow paths could be easily visualized and re-circulation, or dead zone areas, better understood that reveal performance issues such as ‘hotspots’. This then facilitates design change that balances or evens out the heat transfer process.