Heat Exchangers

Creare advances heat exchanger technology for applications ranging from heat sinks for high-power electronics to recuperators for space-borne cryogenic systems. We specialize in engineering unique designs for challenging requirements and developing innovative fabrication methods to bring these designs to reality. Our work encompasses all types of fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers (gas-gas, gas-liquid, liquid-liquid, multiphase boiling/condensing) as well as heat acquisition/rejection devices for solids and structures (heat sinks, spacecraft radiators).

Our heat exchangers include several unique or patented technologies developed by Creare: normal flow heat exchangers for high heat flux operation with low pressure drop and low flow rate; compact radial flow heat exchangers and foil recuperators for very high effectiveness with low pressure loss; microtube radiators with low drag and light weight, and leak-tolerant catalytic heat exchanger reactors for endothermic fuels. We have fabrication experience with a wide range of materials (such as titanium, hastelloy, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and various ceramics) and processes (precision metal forming and blanking, vacuum brazing, automated plasma micro-welding, electron-beam welding, and glass-frit bonding).

Creare heat exchangers have demonstrated high performance with heat flux of over 500 W/cm², effectiveness of over 99.8%, and power density of over 40 kW/liter. High performance is based on sound fundamentals. We develop comprehensive analytical and computer models to optimize our designs and estimate performance prior to fabrication and to compare with and interpret laboratory data during testing.