Monolithic Heat Exchanger Manufacturing

As a prototype for such a reactor, the monolithic heat exchanger in Figure 4.112, was manufactured from a stack of micro structured foils and laser welded at the front and side faces [169], The flanges were welded manually. 

Figure 4.112 Monolithic counter-current heat exchanger manufactured from a stack of micro structured plates and sealed by laser welding (source IMM).

It should be possible to reduce the cost of monoliths by making use of the experience of manufacturers of modern heat exchangers, which contain similar structures. It should also be noted that the high cost of monoliths is in part explained by the fact that they are mostly designed to meet demands of high-temperature operation. 

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