Mixed Carbon Foam/Metallic Heat Exchanger

A heat exchanger, comprising:

• a heat exchanger frame having a first end plate, a second end plate placed in opposed relationship with respect to said first end plate and at least one side bar member placed at each end of said first end plate and said second end plate;
• a thermally-conductive fluid barrier having first and second surfaces provided in said heat exchanger frame;
• at least one first type of foam element placed in thermally-conductive contact with said first surface of said thermally-conductive fluid barrier and having a first coefficient of thermal expansion;
• at least one second type of foam element placed in thermally-conductive contact with said second surface of said thermally-conductive fluid barrier and having a second coefficient of thermal expansion;
• and
• wherein said first coefficient of thermal expansion of said first type of foam element and said second coefficient of thermal expansion of said second type of foam element are substantially different.

A mixed carbon foam/metallic foam heat exchanger method, comprising:

• providing a reticulated metal foam layer;
• providing a thermally conductive carbon foam layer in thermally-conductive contact with said reticulated metal foam layer;
• distributing a first fluid through said reticulated metal foam layer;
• and
• distributing a second fluid through said thermally conductive carbon foam layer.