plate and frame rule-of-thumb

[biofueler]

is there a rule-of-thumb for estimating U value for a plate and frame heat exchanger for a given plate material and heat transfer area?

I have the basic details, but not the details of chevron angle, plate thickness, etc. I have downloaded the PHE software, but its difficult without all teh parameters.

In this case water on the hot side with a 20 degree drop. I know the specific heats and conductivites of both fluids.

Wondering if there is a simple relationship to evaluate the applicability of a unit for a given application.

 

[rmw]

There are several recent threads on the topic of PHE's. Have you searched these?

PHE's have so many variables, corrugation style, chevron angles, plate gaps, plate thicknesses, plate counts, lengths, widths, pressure drop (velocity) to name a few that if a "rule of thumb" exists, I don't know it.

I recommend that if you have some basic details about an existing PHE, that you use the program and iterate it until you zero into (or close to) what you have, and then look at the parameters (chevron angle, gaps, etc.) that gives you your known result.

Then you can start from there and change the parameters as you need to obtain the result you are looking for.

rmw

 

[biofueler]

yes, I did a reasonable search, thats where I got the PHE software from. I will try to play with that a bit more