Development of a Computer Program for the Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer in a Gasketed Plate Heat Exchanger

Abstract

In this study, a computer program is developed to calculate characteristics of a Chevron type gas keted plate heat exchanger (CTGPHEX) such as: the number of plates, the effective surface area and total pressure drops. The main reason to prefer the use of CTGPHEXs to other various types of heat exchangers is that the heat transfer efficiency is much higher in comparison. Working conditions such as the flow rates and inlet and outlet temperature of both flow sides and plate design parameters are used as an input in the program. The Logarithmic Mean Temperature Method and the different correlations for convective heat transfer coefficient and Fanning factor that are found in the literature are applied to calculate the minimum necessary effective heat transfer area, the number of plate and pressure drops due to friction for both fluid sides of fulfill the desired heat transfer rate. This Turkish/English language optioned user friendly computer program is targeted to be used in domestic companies to design and select CTGPHEXs for any desired working conditions.