Condensation heat transfer in plate heat exchangers
Abstract
An Alfa-Laval plate heat exchanger, previously tested as an evaporator, was retested as a condenser. Two series of tests with different chevron-angle plates were carried out using ammonia as a working fluid. The overall heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop were measured, and the effects of operating parameters were determined. The experimental data were compared with theoretical predictions. In the analysis, a gravity-controlled condensation process was modeled theoretically, and the overall performance was calculated. The analysis shows that the overall heat transfer coefficient can be predicted with an average uncertainty of about 10%. It is, however, important to consider the interfacial shear stress, because the effective friction factor is high for flow in plate heat exchangers.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the Natl. Heat. Transfer Conf
- Pub Date:
- May 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985nht..confQ....P
- Keywords:
-
- Condensers (Liquefiers);
- Flow Velocity;
- Heat Exchangers;
- Heat Transfer;
- Working Fluids;
- Ammonia;
- Heat Flux;
- Performance Tests;
- Temperature Measurement;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer