Experimental Investigation of Low-Grade Heat Recovery in a Direct Contact Heat Exchanger: Operational Variable Impact
Experimental Investigation of Low-Grade Heat Recovery in a Direct Contact Heat Exchanger: Operational Variable Impact
Kurt Adams, Ph.D. Candidate
A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering
Lawrence Technological University
Abstract
This presentation describes an experimental study of low-grade heat recovery using a three-phase direct contact heat exchanger with R1234yf and water as the working and heat-source fluids in an organic Rankine cycle.
Background information on conventional closed-loop heat exchangers and direct-contact heat exchangers is presented, highlighting their operating principles, advantages, limitations, and relevance to low-grade waste heat recovery applications. The experimental test apparatus is described, along with the operational commissioning results obtained. Three experiments and their objectives are discussed, including the effects of refrigerant mass flow rate, water flow rate, water inlet temperature, system pressure, refrigerant charge, and water working height on exergy, heat transfer, and the volumetric heat transfer coefficient.
Results are presented in the form of scatter plots with corresponding correlations. Conclusions are provided, including apparatus and experimental limitations, suggested improvements to both, as well as opportunities for future research.
This presentation was distilled from the slide deck used in the defense of my dissertation on September 30, 2026.
Date: November 6, 2026
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Venue: E159, Engineering Building
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- 21000 West Ten Mile Road
- Southfield, MI, 48075-1058
- Southfield, MI 48075, Michigan
- United States 48075
- Building: College of Engineering, Lawrence Technological University
- Room Number: E159, Engineering Building
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Dr. Manisha Guduri
- Co-sponsored by College of Engineering, Lawrence Technological University
- Starts 03 November 2026 05:00 AM UTC
- Ends 06 November 2026 05:00 PM UTC
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Mr. Kurt of Lawrence Technological University
Experimental Investigation of Low-Grade Heat Recovery in a Direct Contact Heat Exchanger: Operational Variable Impact
Experimental Investigation of Low-Grade Heat Recovery in a Direct Contact Heat Exchanger: Operational Variable Impact
Kurt Adams, Ph.D. Candidate
A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering
Lawrence Technological University
Abstract
This presentation describes an experimental study of low-grade heat recovery using a three-phase direct contact heat exchanger with R1234yf and water as the working and heat-source fluids in an organic Rankine cycle.
Background information on conventional closed-loop heat exchangers and direct-contact heat exchangers is presented, highlighting their operating principles, advantages, limitations, and relevance to low-grade waste heat recovery applications. The experimental test apparatus is described, along with the operational commissioning results obtained. Three experiments and their objectives are discussed, including the effects of refrigerant mass flow rate, water flow rate, water inlet temperature, system pressure, refrigerant charge, and water working height on exergy, heat transfer, and the volumetric heat transfer coefficient.
Results are presented in the form of scatter plots with corresponding correlations. Conclusions are provided, including apparatus and experimental limitations, suggested improvements to both, as well as opportunities for future research.
This presentation was distilled from the slide deck used in the defense of my dissertation on September 30, 2026.
Date: November 6, 2026
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Venue: E159, Engineering Building
Biography:
Kurt Adams, Ph.D. Candidate
A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering
Lawrence Technological University
Email:
Address:21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI, 48075-1058, Southfield, MI 48075, Michigan, United States, 48075