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Experimental study of turbulent flow heat transfer and pressure drop in plate heat exchanger with chevron plates

Journal Article · · Journal of Heat Transfer
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2825923· OSTI ID:343650
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States). Dept. of Mechanical, Industrial and Nuclear Engineering

Experimental heat transfer and isothermal pressure drop data for single-phase water flows in a plate heat exchanger (PHE) with chevron plates are presented. In a single-pass U-type counterflow PHE, three different chevron plate arrangements are considered: two symmetric plate arrangements with {beta} = 30 deg/30 deg and 60 deg/60 deg, and one mixed-plate arrangement with {beta} = 30 deg/60 deg. For water (2 < Pr < 6) flow rates in the 600 < Re < 10{sup 4} regime, data for Nu and f are presented. The results show significant effects of both the chevron angle {beta} and surface area enlargement factor {phi}. As {beta} increases, and compared to a flat-plate pack, up to two to five times higher Nu are obtained; the concomitant f, however, are 13 to 44 times higher. Increasing {phi} also has a similar, though smaller effect. Based on experimental data for Re {ge} 1000 and 30 deg {le} {beta} {le} 60 deg, predictive correlations of the form Nu = C{sub 1}({beta}) D{sub 1}({phi}) Re{sup p1({beta})} Pr{sup 1/3} ({mu}/{mu}{sub w}){sup 0.14} and f = C{sub 2}({beta}) D{sub 2}({phi}) Re{sup p2({beta})} are devised. Finally, at constant pumping power, and depending upon Re, {beta}, and {phi}, the heat transfer is found to be enhanced by up to 2.8 times that in an equivalent flat-plate channel.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
343650
Journal Information:
Journal of Heat Transfer, Journal Name: Journal of Heat Transfer Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 121; ISSN 0022-1481; ISSN JHTRAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English