Channel flows of Plate Heat Exchangers (PHEs) were assessed by experiments with three different chevron angle arrangements in turbulent regime. Two chevron angles were selected to assess low and high pressure drop channels, besides a third mixed configuration as to achieve in-between results regarding hydraulic performance. Friction factor correlations were provided with the channel Reynolds number ranging from 1175 to 8325. Two-dimensional (2D) mean velocity field was obtained by Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) with Reynolds number equal to 3450. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental study that quantified the complete 2D velocity field of a typical PHE channel. This value allowed comparison with literature results of Plate and Shell Heat Exchanger (PSHE) channels with the same Reynolds number. PSHE mean velocity field is highly heterogeneous as compared to the one obtained for PHE channels. Peak velocity magnitude in the PSHE center is 50% higher than its bulk velocity, whereas this value is only 15% higher in the PHE center. Pressure drop in PHE mixed channels cannot be approximated by averaging chevron angles: furrow flow prevailed in the specified conditions. The axial velocity is asymmetric regarding the vertical plane. Smooth streamlines prevail in the channel inlet. Recirculation zones at the channel exit affect pipe flow in the manifold outlet with swirling flow structures. The necessary length to obtain fully developed pipe flow at the channel outlet was estimated. Significant velocity components occur in the distribution areas and can limit the heat exchanger performance. The results reported herein are essential to understand how the PHE channel geometry affects the velocity field and, therefore, local heat transfer and dissipation processes.
References
[1]
Kakaç, S., Liu, H. and Pramuanjaroenkij, A. (2012) Heat Exchangers: Selection, Rating, and Thermal Design. CRC Press.
[2]
Shah, R.K. and Sekulić, D.P. (2003). Fundamentals of Heat Exchanger Design. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470172605
[3]
Panday, N.K. and Singh, S.N. (2023) Effect of Geometrical Parameters on the Performance of Plate Heat Exchanger Using Milk-Water as Medium Fluids in the Channels. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 185, Article ID: 108022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2022.108022
[4]
Heavner, R.L., Kumar, H. and Wanniarachchi, A.S. (1993) Performance of an Industrial Plate Heat Exchanger: Effect of Chevron Angle. AIChE Symposium Series.
[5]
Talik, A.C. and Swanson, L.W. (1995) Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop Characteristics of a Plate Heat Exchanger Using a Propylene-Glycol/Water Mixture as the Working Fluid. Proceedings of the 30th National Heat Transfer Conference, Portland, 6-8 August 1995.
[6]
Wang, L. and Sundén, B. (2003) Optimal Design of Plate Heat Exchangers with and without Pressure Drop Specifications. Applied Thermal Engineering, 23, 295-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1359-4311(02)00195-3
[7]
Han, D., Lee, K. and Kim, Y. (2003) Experiments on the Characteristics of Evaporation of R410A in Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers with Different Geometric Configurations. Applied Thermal Engineering, 23, 1209-1225. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1359-4311(03)00061-9
[8]
Khan, T.S., Khan, M.S., Chyu, M. and Ayub, Z.H. (2010) Experimental Investigation of Single Phase Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient in a Corrugated Plate Heat Exchanger for Multiple Plate Configurations. Applied Thermal Engineering, 30, 1058-1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2010.01.021
[9]
Yang, J., Jacobi, A. and Liu, W. (2017) Heat Transfer Correlations for Single-Phase Flow in Plate Heat Exchangers Based on Experimental Data. Applied Thermal Engineering, 113, 1547-1557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.10.147
[10]
Muley, A. and Manglik, R.M. (1997) Enhanced Heat Transfer Characteristics of Single-Phase Flows in a Plate Heat Exchanger with Mixed Chevron Plates. Journal of Enhanced Heat Transfer, 4, 187-201. https://doi.org/10.1615/jenhheattransf.v4.i3.30
[11]
Abou Elmaaty, T.M., Kabeel, A.E. and Mahgoub, M. (2017) Corrugated Plate Heat Exchanger Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 70, 852-860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.266
[12]
Zhang, J., Zhu, X., Mondejar, M.E. and Haglind, F. (2019) A Review of Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques in Plate Heat Exchangers. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 101, 305-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.11.017
[13]
Arsenyeva, O., Tovazhnyanskyy, L., Kapustenko, P., Klemeš, J.J. and Varbanov, P.S. (2023) Review of Developments in Plate Heat Exchanger Heat Transfer Enhancement for Single-Phase Applications in Process Industries. Energies, 16, Article 4976. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16134976
[14]
Focke, W.W., Zachariades, J. and Olivier, I. (1985) The Effect of the Corrugation Inclination Angle on the Thermohydraulic Performance of Plate Heat Exchangers. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 28, 1469-1479. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(85)90249-2
[15]
Dović, D. and Svaic, S. (2007) Influence of Chevron Plates Geometry on Performances of Plate Heat Exchangers. TehničkiVjesnik, 14, 37-45.
[16]
Martin, H. (1996) A Theoretical Approach to Predict the Performance of Chevron-Type Plate Heat Exchangers. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 35, 301-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/0255-2701(95)04129-x
[17]
Arsenyeva, O., Tovazhnyanskyy, L., Kapustenko, P. and Khavin, G.L. (2011) The Generalized Correlation for Friction Factor in Crisscross Flow Channels of Plate Heat Exchangers. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 25, 399-404. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1125067
[18]
Arsenyeva, O.P., Tovazhnyanskyy, L.L., Kapustenko, P.O. and Demirskiy, O.V. (2012) Heat Transfer and Friction Factor in Criss-Cross Flow Channels of Plate-and-Frame Heat Exchangers. Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering, 46, 634-641. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0040579512060024
[19]
Arsenyeva, O.P., Tovazhnyanskyy, L.L., Kapustenko, P.O. and Demirskiy, O.V. (2014) Generalised Semi-Empirical Correlation for Heat Transfer in Channels of Plate Heat Exchanger. Applied Thermal Engineering, 70, 1208-1215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.04.038
[20]
Santos, F.J.D., Martins, G.S.M., Strobel, M., Beckedorff, L., Paiva, K.V.D. and G.Oliveira, J.L. (2024) Combined Effects of Inlet Conditions and Assembly Accuracy on Nusselt and Friction Factors of Plate Heat Exchangers. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 197, 108797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2023.108797
[21]
Beckedorff, L., Nieuwenhuizen, R., Bolwerk, T.M.A.J., Monteiro, A.S., de Paiva, K.V., Kuerten, J.G.M., et al. (2019) Flow Statistics in Plate and Shell Heat Exchangers Measured with PTV. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 79, Article ID: 108461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2019.108461
[22]
Beckedorff, L., Martins, G.S.M., de Paiva, K.V., Oliveira, A.A.M. and Oliveira, J.L.G. (2022) Chevron Angle Effect on Plate and Shell Heat Exchangers Measured with Particle Tracking Velocimetry. Heat Transfer Engineering, 43, 1885-1899. https://doi.org/10.1080/01457632.2021.2022302
[23]
Laws, E.M., Lim, E.H. and Livesey, J.L. (1986) Momentum Balance in Highly Distorted Turbulent Pipe Flows. Experiments in Fluids, 5, 36-42. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00272423
[24]
Sarraf, K., Launay, S. and Tadrist, L. (2015) Complex 3D-Flow Analysis and Corrugation Angle Effect in Plate Heat Exchangers. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 94, 126-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2015.03.002
[25]
Albrecht, H.E., Borys, M., Damaschke, N. and Tropea, C. (2003) Laser Doppler and Phase Doppler Measurement Techniques. Springer-Verlag.
[26]
Oliveira, J.L.G., van der Geld, C.W.M. and Kuerten, J.G.M. (2013) Lagrangian and Eulerian Statistics of Pipe Flows Measured with 3D-PTV at Moderate and High Reynolds Numbers. Flow, Turbulence and Combustion, 91, 105-137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10494-013-9457-9
[27]
Oliveira, J.L.G., van der Geld, C.W.M. and Kuerten, J.G.M. (2015) Lagrangian Velocity and Acceleration Statistics of Fluid and Inertial Particles Measured in Pipe Flow with 3D Particle Tracking Velocimetry. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 73, 97-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2015.03.017
[28]
Oliveira, J.L.G., van der Geld, C.W.M. and Kuerten, J.G.M. (2017) Concentration and Velocity Statistics of Inertial Particles in Upward and Downward Pipe Flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 822, 640-663. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2017.289
[29]
Maas, H.-G. (1996) Contributions of Digital Photogrammetry to 3-D PTV. In: Dracos, T., Eds., Three-Dimensional Velocity and Vorticity Measuring and Image AnalysisTechniques, Springer, 191-207. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8727-3_9
[30]
Dracos, T. (1996) Particle Tracking in Three-Dimensional Space. In: Dracos, T., Eds., Three-Dimensional Velocity and Vorticity Measuring and Image Analysis Techniques, Springer, 209-227. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8727-3_10
[31]
Tribbe, C. and Müller-Steinhagen, H.M. (2001) Gas/liquid Flow in Plate-and-Frame Heat Exchangers—Part I: Pressure Drop Measurements. Heat Transfer Engineering, 22, 5-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/01457630150215677
[32]
Beckedorff, L., da Silva, R.P.P., Martins, G.S.M., de Paiva, K.V., Oliveira, J.L.G. and Oliveira, A.A.M. (2022) Flow Maldistribution and Heat Transfer Characteristics in Plate and Shell Heat Exchangers. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 195, Article ID: 123182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2022.123182
[33]
Bond, M.P. (1981) Plate Heat Exchangers for Effective Heat Transfer. Institution of Chemical Engineers, 162-167.
[34]
Gusew, S. and Stuke, R. (2021) Plate Heat Exchangers: Calculation of Pressure Drop for Single Phase Convection in Turbulent Flow Regime. Heat and Mass Transfer, 58, 419-430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-021-03099-6
[35]
Rocklage-Marliani, G., Schmidts, M. and Vasanta Ram, V.I. (2003) Three-Dimensional Laser-Doppler Velocimeter Measurements in Swirling Turbulent Pipe Flow. Flow, Turbulence and Combustion, 70, 43-67. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:appl.0000004913.82057.81
[36]
Escue, A. and Cui, J. (2010) Comparison of Turbulence Models in Simulating Swirling Pipe Flows. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 34, 2840-2849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2009.12.018
