Artigo Completo:

A product development method for heat exchangers based in dimensionless numbers theory is presented as a fast product engineering method. A product performance test bench is necessary to support this development method. It introduces the actual technology for single phase flow heat exchangers validation test bench. The performance tests are composed of heat transfer power and pressure drop characterization. Data acquisition system, control loops and scientific instrumentation are detailed in this paper. The construction of the test bench and its implementation was made in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. Specialists from other locations and different suppliers worked together to implement the project. An actual strict test bench validation program is performed to ensure the quality of the data found in the central data base system. Results deviation, repeatability and reproducibility are worldwide controlled. This work presents the importance of the experimental engineering not just in the validation process, but also as a speed up tool in all product development phases, plant quality assurance and innovative concepts creation.