Cfd simulations and experimental validation for gasketed plate heat exchangers

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be a powerful tool to examine the thermal hydraulic performances of gasketed plate heat exchangers. The main objective of this study is to perform CFD analyses for determining thermal performance of gasketed plate heat exchangers for an existing heat exchanger system. The results of CFD analyses are validated with experimental data that is obtained from the experimental set-up constructed for the experimental analysis of gasketed plate HEX test set-up constructed for this purpose. Total pressure drop and temperature difference values of CFD results are compared to experimental data. Temperature difference of CFD results is in a good agreement with experimental data where pressure drop value needs a multiplication factor for design considerations. Also, the effect of wave amplitude is investigated with the help of CFD for two new plate designs. In the CFD model, all three types of heat exchangers have two flow zones which are made of one hot and cold zone. Pressure drop and temperature difference values decrease with the decrement of wave amplitude. © 2014, Begell House Inc. All rights reserved.