Surface selection and design of plate–fin heat exchangers

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the design of compact plate–fin heat exchangers where full pressure drop utilization is taken as a design objective. The methodology is based on the development of a thermo-hydraulic model that represents the relationship between pressure drop, heat transfer coefficient and exchanger volume. A simple approach to surface selection based on the concept of volume performance index (VPI) is also presented. Surfaces that result in the smallest volume will exhibit higher VPI. Surfaces are compared on the basis of VPI and envelopes for best performance are produced. Simultaneous surface selection and design for full pressure drop utilization can be achieved by using envelopes for best surface performance together with the thermo-hydraulic model. Design algorithms for cross-flow and counter-flow arrangements are presented and results tested by comparing them with case studies from the literature.