An Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/VAVE) sponsored program is underway to develop an intermediate temperature (650 degree C (1200 degree F)) Carbon-Carbon (C-C) composite heat exchanger (HX) for aircraft applications. This program (AFRL Thermal Component Development Program), which began in 1996, is fabricating an F-18 E/F primary HX with a Carbon-Carbon core for laboratory test demonstration. A number of different designs were considered and evaluated during the design development stage of the program. The type of heat exchanger selected is a plate-fin, cross-flow design with the C-C core approximately 15.2 x 17.8 x 66 cm (6 x 7 x 26 in.) in size. The Carbon-Carbon core results in a 40% reduction in weight compared to the conventional nickel base alloy heat exchanger. Significant features include the fabrication of high thermal conductivity thin plate-fins (0.127 mm (0.005 in.)) for enhanced thermal performance; the brazing of layers together to form the core; and the oxidation protection of the Carbon-Carbon. The aircraft system payoffs for the Carbon-Carbon heat exchanger include: reduced weight, increased cooling capacity and increased range.
Development of an intermediate temperature carbon-carbon heat exchanger for aircraft applications
1999
10 Seiten, 1 Quelle
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch