Analysis of gyroid heat exchangers for superconducting electric motors
Oliver Bonner-Hutton, Bastian Busch, Yifan Lv, Alan Caughley, Rodney A. Badcock, Grant Lumsden, H.W. Weijers, Sarat Singamneni
Abstract
In this study, gyroid structured heat exchangers are critically analysed in a counterflow arrangement. These are to be analysed to measure their performance in the case of superconducting electric motors using cryogenic fluids at low temperatures. Gyroid structures are useful in heat exchanger design, as they offer more varied and complex geometries that can optimise heat transfer to be more efficient, compared to traditional heat exchanger designs. The manufacture of these heat exchangers is made possible using additive manufacturing, as the complex shape of these structures cannot be made through traditional methods. Simulation analysis results of the gyroid structures are compared to a basic tubular counterflow heat exchanger arrangement, which can be made from more traditional methods. Physical printing of the model is also demonstrated to show its practicality. The comparison of results elucidated the overall effectiveness of the gyroid structures, and how geometries can optimise overall energy transfer, considering heat transfer from fluids, and pressure loss from fluid flow.