PHE-8 Development of PHE Incremental Method for Single-Phase Flow

D. C. Longstaff

2001

Uniform port flow distribution offers higher efficiency and lower pressure drop in the operation of plate heat exchangers; however, some flow maldistribution is unavoidable in certain situations. Previous calculation methods were not able to estimate the effect of port flow maldistribution on heat transfer. To model the plate heat exchanger more accurately, we developed a new method to incorporate port flow distribution in the incremental calculation of heat transfer and to account for the effect of maldistribution on heat transfer efficiency. In addition, the new method predicts end effects and between-pass heat transfer. This report documents the new single-phase calculation method for plate heat exchangers.