Industrial Scale Research and Development Facility

Our research is currently conducted on two pilot-scale rigs at our state-of-the-art R&D mass-and-heat transfer pilot plant in Wichita-Kansas (USA). The R&D facility is operated by Koch-Glitsch and Koch Heat Transfer Company jointly allowing for performance testing either on the tubeside or the shellside of heat transfer equipment.

Tubeside Test Rig

The tubeside test rig is designed for simultaneous taking of data on four test sections, (2 x parallel, 2 x series). It allows accurate measurement of heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop inside tubes in cooling and heating applications and direct performance comparison between standard and enhanced tubes. Data monitoring, acquisition and reduction processes are fully automated and computerized.   

Shellside Test Rig

The shellside test rig is designed for simultaneous taking of data on four industrial size heat exchangers (shell IDs = 12" 18" 24" and 34"), connected in series. This allows accurate measurement of heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop in different bundle geometries in cooling and heating applications and direct performance comparison between conventional, segmental baffle exchangers and new innovative concepts.