Research Update: Insights from CFD Simulations of a Plate-and-Shell Heat Exchanger

HTRI gathered experimental data for a plate-and-shell exchanger at the Research & Technology Center (RTC). These data provided the opportunity for HTRI to extend its CFD simulation experience to plate heat exchanger types. The results provide additional insights about the flow distribution and port pressure drops. In this webinar, we discuss the efficient computational approach and the results that reiterate the high thermal effectiveness of the plate exchanger type and reveal minimal channel-by-channel flow variation. Computed port pressure losses confirm current plateside correlations and point to alternative formulations for shellside port pressure losses. The computational approach is well suited for additional studies of larger plate packs and other port configurations.