Grant: Alliance Grants

Dana Canada Inc. designs and manufactures plate heat exchangers (PHE) for automotive applications, historically for single-phase applications like transmission oil coolers. With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), Dana aims to adapt their PHEs for two-phase heat transfer using the R1234yf refrigerant for EV vapor compression systems. Previous empirical correlations for flow boiling heat transfer in Dana's PHEs have been inadequate. Therefore, improved fundamental understanding and detailed empirical data are needed for more efficient PHE designs. Dana plans to leverage their proprietary convection enhancement technologies to improve the efficiency of two-phase PHEs used in EVs. The main research objective is to understand factors affecting R1234yf flow boiling and condensation in Dana's PHEs and develop predictive models for optimizing these systems. This involves creating an experimental apparatus for testing and characterizing R1234yf flow boiling and condensation, investigating variables like mass flow rate, heat flux, inlet conditions, and orientation, and assessing the impact of Dana's convection enhancement technologies. This project will fill knowledge gaps in understanding R1234yf flow boiling and condensation in PHEs, facilitating the development of more efficient EV thermal management technologies. The research will support Dana Canada in designing and sizing PHEs for EVs, giving them a competitive edge. The project aligns with Canada's Net Zero Accelerator Initiative and aims to optimize EV energy use, contributing to Canada's carbon emission goals. Additionally, the research will train highly qualified personnel (HQP) and have potential applications across various Canadian industries.