Theoretical analysis of the end-plate effect on heat transfer in brazed plate heat exchangers

Wenzhe Li, Pega Hrnjak

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs), two end plates function as fins due to the heat conduction with the adjacent thermal plates. This effect brings difficulties in the development of reliable heat transfer correlations. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the end-plate effect on heat transfer in BPHEs. In the analysis, the governing equation is obtained by the energy balance of an elementary cell of the end plate. Then, both numerical and analytical approaches are adopted to solve the governing equation. The results show that the numerical solution and analytical solution agree well with each other. The end-plate effect enlarges the active heat transfer area and leads to an overestimation of the heat transfer coefficient. An equation for the fin efficiency of the end plates is also proposed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationICR 2019 - 25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration
EditorsVasile Minea
PublisherInternational Institute of Refrigeration
Pages2754-2761
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9782362150357
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, ICR 2019 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: Aug 24 2019Aug 30 2019

Publication series

NameRefrigeration Science and Technology
Volume2019-August
ISSN (Print)0151-1637

Conference

Conference25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, ICR 2019
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period8/24/198/30/19

Keywords

  • Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers
  • End-plate Effect
  • Fin Efficiency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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