Generalized correlations for predicting heat transfer and pressure drop in plate heat exchanger channels of arbitrary geometry

Characteristics of the flow in chevron plate heat exchangers are investigated through visualization tests of channels with beta = 28 degrees and beta = 61 degrees. Mathematical model is then developed with the aim of deriving correlations for prediction off and Nu for flow in channels of arbitrary geometry (beta and 1511). Thermal and hydraulic characteristics are evaluated using analytical solutions for the entrance and fully developed regions of a sinusoidal duct adapted to the basic single cell. The derived correlations are finally adjusted so as to agree with experimental results from tests on channels with beta = 28 degrees and beta = 65 degrees. f and Nu calculated by the presented correlations are shown to be consistent with experimental data from the literature at Re = 2-10,000, beta = (15-67)degrees and b/l = 0.26-0.4. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.