Fatigue Testing of Polymeric Hollow Fibre Heat Transfer Surfaces by Pulsating Pressure Loads

Abstract

This article deals with fatigue tests of polymeric hollow fibre heat transfer surfaces. The hollow fibres have an outer diameter between 0.5-0.8 mm and wall thickness 10 % of the outer diameter. These plastic heat transfer surfaces have some limitations but also many benefits. One of the limitations is the durability of plastic under fatigue loading. The heat transfer surfaces were subjected to pulsating pressure loads under different conditions (level of pressure, ambient temperature, number of cycles). Firstly, only an internal hydraulic pulsating load was applied and the behaviour of the hollow fibres was observed, focusing especially on the presence of leaks, ruptures, etc.Then, other conditions of operations were added. The heat transfer surfaces were immersed in a hot bath and loaded by internal pulsating pressure and high temperature simultaneously. Testing under different temperatures is important because the temperature significantly affects the material properties. The presence of leaks, ruptures and other possible damage was monitored as with previous tests.