ANALYTICAL STUDIES ON THE HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF CHEVRON TYPE PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER

The results of analytical studies on the hydraulic performance of chevron type plate heat exchanger for different aspect ratios, Reynolds number, maldistribution parameters, no of channels, fixed port size, and flow rates using water as the working fluid in the channels have been presented. Some analytical results have been validated with the experimental results available in the literature. Pressure drop in the heat exchanger is found to depend on flow rate, numbers of channels and aspect ratio. Friction factor in a channel also depends on flow rate of fluid and aspect ratio. The flow distribution and pressure drop in the U-type arrangement plate heat exchangers are studied for a wide range of Reynolds number (200-5800). The flow maldistribution brings about an increase in pressure drop across the heat exchanger.