Numerical Simulation on Performance of Plate Heat Exchangers

A calculation model was built up for fluid flow and heat transfer in cold and hot flow channels of a chevron-type plate heat exchanger.Using CFD software,numerical simulations were carried out for fluid flow and heat transfer inside the heat exchanger under conditions of five different velocities,while the velocity field,temperature field and pressure field in the channels analyzed.Results show that the error of both temperature difference and pressure drop are all less than 6% between simulated and test results at inlet and outlet of heat exchanger.Obvious non-uniformity of flow and heat transfer exists in the heat exchanger,resulting in obvious heat transfer'dead zone' at another side of inlet/outlet.The total heat transfer coefficient and channel resistance increase with rising flow velocity.