Influence of metallic porous microlayer on pressure drop and heat transfer of stainless steel plate heat exchanger

Abstract

The experimental analysis of passive heat transfer intensification in the case of plate heat exchanger has been carried out. The metallic porous layer was created on the heat transfer surface of analyzed unit. The experiment was accomplished in two stages. In the first stage the commercial stainless steel gasketed plate heat exchanger was investigated, while in the second one – the identical heat exchanger but with the modified heat transfer surface. The direct comparison of thermal and flow characteristics between both devices was possible due to the assurance of equivalent conditions during the experiment. Equivalent conditions mean the same volumetric flow rates and the same media temperatures at the inlet of heat exchangers in the corresponding measurement series. Experimental data were collected for the single-phase convective heat transfer in the water–ethanol configuration. The heat transfer coefficients were determined using the Wilson plot method. The results showed the advantages of such heat exchanger construction in some flow ranges and for some fluids.