A Performance Analysis Modeling for a Plate Heat Exchanger

Abstract

Heat transfer characteristics and performance of a plate heat exchanger have been investigated through numerical modeling techniques. A 3-D finite volume technique has been utilized to solve the proposed numerical model. Flow passage turnings between upper and lower corrugated plates in the exchanger are assumed because two corrugated plates face each other with different channel angles where working fluid flows between two plates. The effects of flow channel angles and cross-sectional shapes of exchanger plates have been investigated to determine the optimum design parameters for the exchanger. Within a plate heat exchanger, the flow passage is being determined due to flow interactions between the corrugated plates. Since the working fluid flows along the rather complicated flow path in actual situation, it is simplified that the flow from one direction changes its direction after colliding with the flow coming from the other direction due to the chevron angle of the plate. Various numbers of flow passage turnings are assumed for comparisons in order to obtain optimum performance conditions for the plate heat exchanger. The effects of cross-sectional shapes to the exchanger performance is also investigated.