Study of thermo-hydraulic performance of chevron type plate heat exchanger with wire inserts in the channel

Abstract

The effect of wire inserts in the channel flow path on the thermal and hydraulic performance of single-pass plate heat exchangers (PHEs) is experimentally investigated. This work is also carried out for Reynolds number, Re = 967–2700; volumetric flow rate for both working fluids, V=˙ 2000–4600 LPH; and inlet temperatures of working fluids (hot and cold) maintained at 45°C and 14°C, respectively. In the present work modified Wilson plot method is proposed for calculating heat transfer coefficient in an unequal flow rate of working fluids. In error estimations of heat transfer coefficient, errors in fit parameters are also considered. The heat transfer enhancement by 10% for 60°/60°chevron angle plates costs a pressure drop of 72.12%, which results in the increment of the tremendous amount of pump works. At the same time, heat transfer enhancement is observed 22 and 15% in 30°/30°and 30°/60°chevron angle plates by increasing pressure drop 29.91 and 33.38% respectively. Based on experimental results, individual correlations are proposed for both the Nusselt number and effectiveness for all geometrical configurations of the PHEs.