The challenge

The LRF is researching highly filled polymer composite heat exchangers (PK-WÜT) based on PPS, which contain up to 80 % graphite. Compared to metallic heat exchangers, these offer greater resistance to fouling, which occurs in processes such as seawater desalination, milk processing and refineries and severely impairs efficiency.

Since polymers have lower thermal conductivity and lower strength compared to metals, an intensive investigation of their mechanical properties is essential in order to fully exploit their weight advantage. The aim of the research is to optimize these properties and to increase the thermal conductivity by highly filled graphite composites in order to achieve ecological and economic advantages. High-performance polymer heat exchangers used to date are often based on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which could soon be banned due to their environmental hazards. Early research into sustainable alternatives such as graphite PPS is therefore highly relevant.

Project partners and associated partners within GRETE

• Advent Technologies GmbH
• Calorplast Wärmetechnik GmbH
• Eisenhuth GmbH & Co. KG
• Ensinger GmbH
• Georg H. LUH GmbH
• IAG Industrie Automatisierungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
• Center for Fuel Cell Technology GmbH
• ENVIMAC Engineering GmbH

Central elements of the project

• Production and characterization of various PPS types and highly filled graphite-PPS composites for use in highly filled polymer composite plate heat exchangers.
• Establishment of a hot stamping process for the production of heat exchanger plates made of highly filled polymer composite for use in plate heat exchangers.
• Examination of the influence of filling level, polymer type and graphite orientation of the plates on heat transfer coefficients, flow behavior and susceptibility to fouling.
• Analysis of the mechanical strength of the manufactured plates and modeling of the compressive strength as a function of material, embossing pattern and application temperature.
• Development of a standardized test apparatus for:
  • Determination of the heat transfer coefficient at the PK-WÜT.
  • Determination of the pressure difference at the PK-WÜT.
  • Monitoring of fouling on the PK-WÜT within a test cell.
  • Analysis of the heat transfer during evaporation within a test cell.