Theoretical and experimental studies of rectangular duct heat exchangers to be used in a high-altitude subsonic aircraft

A unique need exists for heat exchangers that operate efficiently at an altitude of 85,000 feet. The application involves transferring heat to the low pressure ambient air at a low velocity that is in the laminar flow regime. Because it is desired that low pressure ambient air experience a small decrease in pressure, heat exchangers were examined with relatively short flowlengths and the boundary layers of the ambient air may be developing for a significant portion of the flowlength. These unique requirements of heat exchangers prompted an experimental study of compact heat exchangers made with relatively short rectangular fins that formed rectangular ducts.; Compact heat exchangers made with rectangular fins were experimentally tested to determine the pressure drop of the air across the heat exchanger and the heat transfer to the air; the experiments were performed with air at Reynolds numbers between 100 and 1000. By placing the experimental apparatus in a chamber that was partially evacuated, experiments were also performed with air at a Reynolds number of approximately 250 at simulated elevated altitudes up to 83,000 feet. The results of the experiments performed at sea level and elevated altitudes compared very well.; The results of the experiments that measured the pressure drop of the air determined the additional pressure drop caused by the developing boundary layers. An equation obtained from the data of the pressure drop measurements predicted the entrance length of the developing boundary layers.; The Nusselt number of the air was calculated from the data of the heat transfer experiments. The Nusselt number significantly increased of the experiments performed with the boundary layers of the air developing for a significant portion of the rectangular duct. An equation was obtained that predicted the Nusselt number for compact heat exchangers with short flowlengths and with air at low Reynolds numbers. The equation that predicted the Nusselt number and the pressure drop data were used to design heat exchangers to operate at high altitudes.