Performance analysis of the plate heat exchangers for heating systems

Abstract

In this work, thermodynamic analysis of the plate heat exchangers was carried out as experimentally. An experimental heating system with a plate heat exchanger (PHE) was designed and set up for this aim. Thermodynamic analysis of the experimental system at different temperatures and three different flow rates was carried out. The heat transfer rate and effectiveness values are calculated and obtained results were presented. As a result of the study, it was determined that the heat transfer rate increased for each of the three flow rates in PHE with increased inlet hot water temperature. According to the results of experiments, the highest heat transfer rate which is 2.5 kW, was obtained from a flow rate of 0.239 kg/s. The highest efficiency value was obtained as 44% for this fluid flow rate. It has been seen that the flow rate of 0.321 kg/s, which has the highest heat transfer and efficiency value mathematically, is not suitable for the PHE sizes used.