Optimal Counter-current exchange networks

Farr, Robert; Mao, Yong

Abstract

We present a general analysis of exchange devices linking their efficiency to the geometry of the exchange surface and supply network. For certain parameter ranges, we show that the optimal exchanger consists of densely packed pipes which can span a thin sheet of large area (an “active layer”), which may be crumpled into a fractal surface and supplied with a fractal network of pipes. We derive the efficiencies of such exchangers, showing the potential for significant gains compared to regular exchangers (where the active layer is flat), using parameters relevant to biological systems.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2016
• Publication Date: Nov 18, 2016
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 1, 2016
• Journal: Physical Review E
• Print ISSN: 2470-0045
• Electronic ISSN: 1550-2376
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 94
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.94.052410
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/827974
• Publisher URL: http://journals.aps.org/pre/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevE.94.052410
• Additional Information: Optimal counter-current exchange networks / Robert S. Farr and Yong Mao. Phys. Rev. E 94, 052410 – Published 18 November 2016. c2016 American Physical Society.