Low-drag, high-efficiency microchannel polymer heat exchangers

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that provides a polymer heat exchanger with internal microscale flow passages. The system includes a set of plates comprised of a polymer that includes internal microscale flow passages, which are configured to carry a liquid. The set of plates is organized into a stack, wherein consecutive plates in the stack are separated by fins to form intervening air passages. The system includes a liquid flow pathway, which flows from a liquid inlet, through the internal microscale flow passages in the stack of plates, to a liquid outlet. It also includes an airflow pathway, which flows from an airflow inlet, through the intervening air passages between the consecutive plates in the stack of plates, to an airflow outlet. The liquid flow pathway flows in a direction opposite to a direction of the airflow pathway to provide a counterflow design that optimizes heat transfer between the liquid flow pathway and the airflow pathway.