Thermal Performance of Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger in High Temperature Applications

Abstract

This study examines the performance of brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE) in an experimental air loop. The high temperature experimental system used for testing the heat transfer and pressure drop for simulation exhaust gas applicable for SOFC system is developed. The inlet temperature and mass flow rate were varied from 300 to 700 °C /0.0015~0.0041kg/s in the hot side to simulate high temperature exhaust gas and 25°C /0.0013~0.005 kg/s in the cold side. A total of three tests are conducted (Test1: Th=300~700°C, Tc=25 °C, mh=0.0041kg/s, mc=0.005kg/s; Test 2: Th=700°C, Tc=25 °C, mh=0.0034kg/s, mc=0.0013~0.005kg/s; Test 3: Th=700°C, Tc=25 °C, mh=0.0015~0.0041kg/s, mc=0.005kg/s;). The experimental results showed that the effect of inlet mass flow rate on the temperature performance is quite significant, and the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop are related to the mass flow rate.