Heat exchanging is one of the critical process in a thermal system and requires in depth optimization of equipment configuration. In this study, the advantage of morphing the flow channel design to more complicated configuration is shown for the purpose of enhancing the flow and thermal characteristics of counterflow heat exchanger. The free pursuit for the optimal geometry of flow channel cross-sections will be investigated toward meeting two objectives simultaneously: lower longitudinal (along the flow direction) flow resistances and lower perpendicular (channel to channel) thermal resistance. For hexagonal, square, and triangular ducts, an analytical model is used to evaluate the fluid flow and heat transfer relative performances. The hexagonal array can be packed tightly without leaving spaces in between, such as in packing circular tubes. However, having inactive channels within the hexagonal bundle is one of the main challenges that reduce the thermal performance of counterflow heat exchanger. Thus, a hybrid packing of mixed configurations is considered in this paper for which a 3D numerical model (CFD) is used to analyze its thermal and fluid flow features. The findings reveal that the triangular array offers higher thermal performance as compared to that of the competitive arrays. However, when heating and flow effects are considered simultaneously, the hybrid array provides the improved performance among the other configurations considered.

换热是热系统中的关键过程之一，需要对设备配置进行深度优化。在这项研究中，显示了将流道设计变形为更复杂的配置的优势，目的是增强逆流热交换器的流动和热特性。为了同时满足两个目标，将对自由选择流动通道横截面的最佳几何形状进行研究：较低的纵向（沿流动方向）流动阻力和较低的垂直（通道对通道）热阻。对于六角形，方形和三角形风管，使用分析模型来评估流体流动和传热的相对性能。六角形阵列可以紧密堆积，而不会在两者之间留有空隙，例如在堆积圆形管中。然而，在六边形束内具有无效通道是降低逆流热交换器的热性能的主要挑战之一。因此，在本文中考虑了混合配置的混合填料，为此使用3D数值模型（CFD）分析其热和流体流动特征。研究结果表明，与竞争性阵列相比，三角形阵列具有更高的热性能。但是，当同时考虑加热和流动效应时，混合阵列在考虑的其他配置中提供了改进的性能。本文考虑了混合配置的混合填料，为此使用3D数值模型（CFD）分析其热和流体流动特征。研究结果表明，与竞争性阵列相比，三角形阵列具有更高的热性能。但是，当同时考虑加热和流动效应时，混合阵列在考虑的其他配置中提供了改进的性能。本文考虑了混合配置的混合填料，为此使用3D数值模型（CFD）分析其热和流体流动特征。研究结果表明，与竞争性阵列相比，三角形阵列具有更高的热性能。但是，当同时考虑加热和流动效应时，混合阵列在考虑的其他配置中提供了改进的性能。