New Two-Phase Multiplier Model for Phase-Change Flows in Plate Heat Exchangers

A complete thermo-hydraulic understanding of condensing and evaporating flows in heat exchangers requires predictive modeling and analysis of not just heat transfer but also the hydraulics of the flow. While modeling the friction factor and pressure gradient yields a quantitative understanding of the pressure drop, only the two-phase multiplier and void fraction, in combination with the Martinelli parameter, help better understand the relative contributions of the liquid and vapor fractions to the overall pressure drop. This article reports the empirical modeling, analysis, and meta-analysis of the two-phase multiplier for condensing and evaporating flows in plate heat exchangers. Over three thousand data compiled from forty-two sources were modeled using various regression techniques to develop correlations for predicting the two-phase multiplier for condensing and evaporating flows in plate heat exchangers. The Weber number for most studies was less than one, indicating that drop condensation and pool boiling were impossible. Further, the Bond number for most studies was also much higher than one, indicating that the buoyancy effects were significant during condensation and evaporation. Meta-analysis for evaporators was statistically significant and positive, strongly recommending plate heat exchangers.