Experimental investigation of single phase convective heat transfer coefficient in a corrugated plate heat exchanger for multiple plate configurations

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering 2010-06, Vol.30 (8), p.1058-1065
• Main Authors: Khan, T.S., Khan, M.S., Chyu, Ming-C., Ayub, Z.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chevron angle; Corrugated plates; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Heat exchangers; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); Heat transfer; Nusselt number; Plate heat exchanger; Prandtl number; Reynolds number; Single phase; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Turbulence; Turbulent flow
• ISSN: 1359-4311
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2010.01.021

Corrugated plate heat exchangers have larger heat transfer surface area and increased turbulence level due to the corrugations. In this study, experimental heat transfer data are obtained for single phase flow (water-to-water) configurations in a commercial plate heat exchanger for symmetric 30°/30°, 60°/60°, and mixed 30°/60° chevron angle plates. Experiments were carried out for Reynolds number ranging from 500 to 2500 and Prandtl number from 3.5 to 6.5. Experimental results show significant effect of chevron angle and Reynolds number on the heat transfer coefficient. Based on the experimental data, a correlation to estimate Nusselt number as a function of Reynolds number, Prandtl number and chevron angle has been proposed.