REGENERATORS

NANDKISHOR URKUDE (BT14CME088)

VAMSI KATTA (BT14CME089)
MADHURI (BT14CME093)
WHAT IS A REGENERATOR ?
WHAT IS A REGENERATOR ?

• A Regenerator is a storage type of Heat Exchanger in

which heat from the hot fluid is intermediately stored in
thermal storage before transferring to cold fluid
WHAT IS A REGENERATOR ?

• A Regenerator is a storage type of Heat Exchanger in

which heat from the hot fluid is intermediately stored in
thermal storage before transferring to cold fluid

• To accomplish this operation the hot fluid is brought into

contact with the heat storage medium, then the fluid is
displaced with the cold fluid, which absorbs the heat.
SCHEMATICS OF REGENERATOR

Rotary Type Fixed bed type

PRINCIPLE OF WORKING:
• When the hot fluid is moved through the “packing” (called as ‘Matrix’) the
heat is transferred from hot fluid to matrix and it is ‘stored’ in it.
• The time for which hot fluid is in contact with matrix is termed as ‘Hot
Period’.
• The packing material is one with High volumetric Heat Capacity and low
thermal conductivity in longitudinal direction.
• Further when cold fluid is passed over the matrix, the heat energy gets
transferred back to the cold fluid and the matrix is ‘regenerated’.
• The time for which cold fluid is in contact with matrix is termed as ‘Cold
Period’.
TYPES OF REGENERATORS:

There are two main types of regenerators:

• Fixed Matrix Regenerators

• Rotary Regenerators
FIXED MATRIX REGENERATORS:
• In fixed matrix regenerators, the matrix is packed in a cylindrical apparatus
where fluids can be transported from both endings i.e. from top at bottom.

• The most obvious technique for realizing

"apparent" continuous operation, is to use
two or more regenerators operating out of
phase with respect to one another so that
while one regenerator is supplying heated
fluid, the other regenerator(s) is storing heat
from the heating fluid.

• Such an arrangement is called a system of

fixed bed regenerators.
FIXED MATRIX REGENERATORS:
• An apparently easy way to do this is by enclosing the
set of regenerators within a system of ducts or pipes
fitted with valves to facilitate the switching of the
regenerators at the end of a period of operation.

• As one set of valves close, at a reversal, so another set

open: the flow of hot gas, for example, is diverted from
one regenerator to the other by the closing of such a
set of valves and the opening of the other.
Simultaneously, the flow of cold gas is switched from
the other regenerator in a symmetric fashion.
FIXED MATRIX REGENERATOR:

• Size:
1. The height of fixed bed regenerators is very high, around 50m.

• Merits:
1. Loosely packed and free to expand.
2. Bed material can be removed for cleaning purpose.
3. Fouling doesn’t affect heat transfer coefficient, it merely decreases flow rate.
4. Surface to volume ratio is 1600 m2/m3
APPLICATIONS :

• Commonly used for Very high temperature operation of about

1200K.
• Due to packing of fireproof refractory, it is capable of withstanding
high thermal shocks and effects of corrosive gases.
• Commonly used in preheating of Blast Furnace gases.
 ROTARY REGENERATORS:
• In rotary regenerators, the matrix may or may not fixed.
• The packing is divided into two gas tight sections and the hot and
cold gases flow simultaneously in a direction parallel to this axis,
usually in contra-flow, through these different segments of the
packing.
• It is disc and drum type arrangement, mainly divided into two
types:
1. Ljungstrom type
2. Rothemuhle type
ROTARY REGENERATORS:

Ljungstrom type Rothemuhle type

 ROTARY REGENERATORS:

• As the packing rotates through the hot gas stream,

it stores heat, as in the hot period of a fixed bed
regenerator.
• This thermal energy is literally transported into the cold
gas stream as the packing is rotated.
• Once in the other gas stream, the heat is regenerated
and is passed to the cold gas, as in the cold period of
operation of a fixed bed system.
ROTARY REGENERATORS:

Honeycomb packing
ROTARY REGENERATOR:
• Size:
1. Diameter is about 10m.
2. Speed of rotation is 0.5 to 3 rpm.
• Merits:
1. Surface to volume ratio is 8800 m2/m3
2. Very high thermal efficiency can be achieved.
3. Laminar flow prevails.
ROTARY REGENERATORS:

• Commonly used for moderate temperature operations, around 400 to 600 K.

• In some applications, it is vital that this carryover gas should not be permitted
to contaminate the stream of cold gas being heated by the exchanger. In these
circumstances, an additional sector is provided in the packing so that gases
purged from the regenerator at the end of the hot period, for example, can be
sent off to a separate exhaust, possibly fed back into the hot gas stream.
MATRIX:

• Matrix is packing material which acts as thermal storage.

• Should have high thermal capacity.
• Should be porous without obstructions to avoid contamination.
• Dense matrix with small dead space.
• Usually ceramic, polyester materials are used.
BIOLOGICAL REGENERATORS:
• Hausen (1976) suggests that the throat and nasal passages act as a
regenerator packing in cold weather.
• When an animal breathes in cold air, it is warmed as it passes
through the nose and throat before the air reaches the lungs,
thereby protecting the lungs from the effects of cold
temperatures.
• As the animal breathes out, the same passages in the nose and
throat are warmed by the air leaving the lungs.
• Clearly, the temperature of the throat and nasal tissue is also
regulated by the flow of blood through it.
 ADVANTAGES OF REGENERATORS:

• Provides greater surface area per unit volume for a given effectiveness and
temperature.
• Regenerators are therefore more economical in terms of material and
manufacturing.
• The matrix surfaces of regenerators also have self-cleaning characteristics,
reducing fluid-side fouling and corrosion.
• As the heat transfer coefficient for gases is considerably small, therefore the
need of greater surface area is met by regenerators.
 DISADVANTAGES OF REGENERATORS:

• One of the greatest disadvantage is that there is direct contact between the
fluids. Therefore there is always mixing of fluids in some amount.
• The use of regenerators is restricted where the partial mixing of fluids is
acceptable.
• In case of liquids mixing is undesirable, therefore use of regenerators is
limited for gases only.
• The constant heating and cooling that takes place in regenerative heat
exchangers puts a lot of stress on the components of the heat exchanger,
which can cause cracking or breakdown of materials.
DISADVANTAGES OF REGENERATORS:

• Operating pressure is limited to 4-7 bar.

• Due to demanding of high thermal capacity of matrix over the fluids, the
operations are only limited to gaseous fluids.
• External power requirement for drive and support systeme.
• Carryover and leakage problems.
THANK YOU!