Presentation
Discover the NeoLab PropanHex Bench, NeoTherm Consulting's first test bench, installed in our new office in Saint-Baldoph, specially dedicated to thermal testing and named NeoLab. This test bench is designed to test and evaluate heat exchangers. It consists of an R290 refrigeration cycle with two hot/cold storage tanks and offers advanced features for analysis of your heat exchangers.
Key features
The test bench can be used to characterize heat exchangers in condenser and evaporator mode for a refrigerant - R290 - and on the heat transfer fluid side - water or glycol water.
* Values at Evaporation -7°C, Condensation +50°C, Superheat of 10 K, and Subcooling of 4 K
** According to ΔP Heat Exchanger Test
R290 (Propane), is part of the future of refrigerants due to its high energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and safety when handled properly.
By using water or glycol water with a mass concentration ranging from 5% to 30%, our test bench can be adapted to different configurations for tests tailored to your specific needs.
Applications
Whether for the refrigeration industry, air conditioning, or other fields requiring efficient heat exchangers, our NeoLab PropanHex test bench is the ideal tool for testing, validating, and optimizing the performance of thermal systems with power ratings of up to 15 kW.
- Advanced analysis of your exchanger’s performance (standard equipment, innovative heat exchange structures)
- Verification and analysis of fluid distribution (single-phase or two-phase)
- Qualification of your equipment's performance (power, efficiency, heat transfer, pressure drop)
Beyond experimental testing, NeoTherm Consulting designs customized test plans to meet your specific needs and uses all the data collected to provide in-depth and relevant analyses.
With this installation, NeoTherm gives you access to a detailed and rigorous characterization of your heat exchangers.
Metrology and components
Metrology plays a central role in the accuracy and reliability of the tests carried out on our test bench.
Temperature, pressure, and pressure difference sensors are located throughout the circuits, ensuring accurate measurement of these variables and providing meticulous control across a wide range of conditions.
Electromagnetic flow meters and a Coriolis flow meter ensure accurate and reliable measurement of flow rates, whether for heat transfer fluid or refrigerant.
Our FLIR infrared camera can also be used for in-depth analyses of fluid distribution in heat exchangers.
Installing your Heat Exchangers
To ensure optimal installation of our customer’s heat exchangers on the test bench, we have established a partnership with BBR Energie. Thanks to their expertise in thermal and energy engineering, they ensure the seamless integration of new components.
Examples of achievements
- Tests on brazed plate heat exchangers (condensation/evaporation) for comparison with software simulation
- Tests on innovative additive manufacturing heat exchangers for performance characterization