Micro-Channel Heat Exchangers (MCHE) has entered the HVAC industry. It is specially redesigned to target HVAC system requirements; kaltra microchannel heat exchangers help to improve efficiency and save costs for owners, managers and residents.
What is meant by a microchannel heat exchanger?
MCHEs are a form of fin and tube heat exchanger. This is usually a refrigerant or water. It flows through a closed tube or channel while air flows through the flanges connected to it. The hydraulic diameter of the channel is less than 1 mm. The shipping and chemical processing industries have used MCHE for decades. The impetus for better efficiency led to the introduction of HVAC systems.
Today’s manufacturers focus on aluminium materials and brazing structures. The use of a single piece of material in the construction results in a consistent heat transfer rate. The high temperatures used in brazing produce a strong alloy at the joints. These methods reduce heat transfer resistance.
Other design changes focus on methods for limiting condensation and corrosion and improving fluid flow. The size of the headers and the number and direction of microchannel vary depending on where the heat exchanger is in the HVAC system and what kind of fluid is transferring heat. Some are specifically designed to accommodate the necessary phase changes in condensers and evaporators.
Benefits of microchannel heat exchanger:
The small diameter of the hydraulic channel leads to several technical advantages. The main benefit of using MCHE in HVAC is efficiency. Many smaller conduits provide more surface area for refrigerant contact with the wall than larger conduits do in the same space. Some manufacturers report a 20 to 40% improvement over the conventional fin and tube heat exchangers.
Most heat transfer in heat exchangers takes place along the walls by conduction, whereas the centre of the fluid takes longer to release heat through convection. The narrower tube reduces the amount of fluid flowing through it. Convection plays a lesser role in heat transfer; therefore, not only a larger percentage of the refrigerant is in contact with the wall to transfer heat.
The manufacturer estimates that MCHEs require 30% less refrigerant because MCHEs are much more efficient. As a result, they may be smaller (up to 30%) and weigh less (less than 60%) than comparable heat exchangers. Size and efficiency allow for a smaller fan size and lower overall system power consumption. An added benefit for smaller fans is less noise. MCHEs offer more flexibility in placement and design without worrying about noise.
Features of MCHE:
With the efficiency benefit, the use of MCHE in HVAC will increase; raw material and refrigerant costs will contribute to market growth. Copper, which is used in conventional fin and tube heat exchangers, is more expensive than aluminium. The additional savings from reduced refrigerant storage also encourage businesses and facilities to choose kaltra microchannel heat exchangers over traditional heat exchangers for their HVAC needs.
The market for MCHE in HVAC services is relatively new compared to other industries. Facility managers and building owners stand for significant savings from using MCHE in their HVAC systems. Manufacturers have redesigned these heat exchangers to enhance their heat transfer properties to reduce the cost of production and unit and reduce the space required for the HVAC system.