Risteävirtalämmönvaihtimet

Risteävirtalämmönvaihdin, known in English as a cross-flow heat exchanger, is a type of heat exchanger where the two fluid streams flow in directions perpendicular to each other. This arrangement allows for a more compact design compared to parallel flow or counter-flow heat exchangers, especially in applications where space is limited. In a cross-flow configuration, one fluid flows through a series of tubes or channels, while the other fluid flows across these tubes, perpendicular to the primary flow direction.

The primary advantage of cross-flow heat exchangers lies in their ability to achieve a significant temperature difference between the two fluids within a relatively small physical volume. This makes them suitable for applications where space constraints are a major concern, such as in automotive radiators, air conditioning units, and electronic cooling systems. The heat transfer efficiency can be influenced by the arrangement of the tubes and the flow paths of the fluids.

There are different configurations of cross-flow heat exchangers. In a single-pass cross-flow exchanger, each fluid flows only once through the exchanger. In a multi-pass cross-flow exchanger, one or both fluids may make multiple passes through the exchanger, which can increase the overall heat transfer effectiveness but also increases complexity and pressure drop. The design considerations for cross-flow heat exchangers involve balancing heat transfer performance, pressure drop, size, and cost. The perpendicular flow can lead to a more uniform temperature distribution within the exchanger compared to other types under certain conditions.