An introduction to polymers and their thermal conductivity is provided, with particular attention paid to recent work that has highlighted the potential to make high thermal conductivity polymers. The thermal conductivity of amorphous polymers is generally low, on the order of 0.1–1.0 W m−1 K−1; however, polymers can be inexpensive to manufacture and they are corrosion resistant and lightweight, which makes them attractive for heat transfer applications. To realize their potential, higher thermal conductivity and higher strength is needed, which can be achieved to some extent by adding fillers to a polymer matrix. A review of the strategies employed to raise the thermal conductivity of polymers is provided along with an introductory review of the physics that intrinsically allows individual polymer molecules to serve as good heat conductors.

http://www.ase.gatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ARHT13-6949.pdf

Thermal transport in polymers

For the past 40 years considerable attention has been devoted to the innovation, characterization, and implementation of polymer heat exchanger technology, driven by the corrosion resistance, low density, low cost, and ease of manufacture of many polymeric materials. Moreover, new polymer composites, with higher impact and yield strengths, higher temperature limits, and higher thermal conductivities, promise to bridge the performance gap that exists between polymers and corrosion-resistant metals. This paper begins by reviewing the history of polymer heat exchangers and the technical limitations that have motivated much of the research on this technology. The notable developments that have taken place in the last decade and primary potential applications for polymer heat exchangers are then discussed, including solar water heaters, heat recovery systems, and seawater heat exchangers, in particular, for the desalination industry. The paper closes with a review of compact polymer heat exchangers, with milli...

Polymer Heat Exchangers—History, Opportunities, and Challenges

A distillation apparatus utilizing a flexible heat exchange medium with a nonwettable condensation face and an opposing readily wettable wicked evaporation face arranged in envelope configurations which provide large heat transfer areas within relatively small volumes.

Vapor compression distillation apparatus

Ocean thermal energy conversion—A significant solar resource

This paper summarizes the general concepts and current state-of-the-art for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Systems, a large-scale solar energy driven resource. Specifically, it focuses on the varied material needs for such power plants. Each of the system’s major components (turbine, heat exchanger, ocean platform or hull, and ocean water delivery system) is discussed with respect to material requirements (type and magnitude) needed for the various designs. The heat exchangers are considered to be the key power plant components and various designs and material choices are presented. Also, the impact on material resources for large-scale implementation of such systems is considered.

E. N. Sieder

Papers

Development of plastic heat exchangers for sea solar power plants