Optimization of Plate Heat Exchangers with Intermittent Ridges

Abstract:

Research of devices for heat recovery is currently focused on increasing the temperature and heat efficiency of plate heat exchangers. The goal of optimization is not only to increase the heat transfer or even moisture but also reduce the pressure loss and possibly material costs. This study deals with a plate heat exchanger with wall shaped by intermittent ridges. We used software fluent and user defined deforming to deform computational mesh and create various heat exchange walls with different number of ridges and different number of set-offs. The intention of the set-offs is to discompose boundary layer inside channels created by ridges, mix the temperature field and thus intensify the heat transfer. We used previously formulated objective function, which is a linear combination of efficiency and pressure loss, and a simple local method to optimize the heat exchanger for required pressure loss. It was found that the objective function surface is monotone and unimodal, but is not smooth. The global optimums were identified and it was shown that the optimal wall shape has no set-off for low pressure losses. The optimal count of ridges and optimal count of set-offs rise with higher required pressure loss. It was proved that the suggested objective function is suitable for optimization of a counterflow plate heat exchanger, but use of a global optimization method would be beneficial.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 752-753)
• Pages: 820-827
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.752-753.820
• Online since: April 2015
• Authors: Vaclav Dvorak*
• Keywords: Counterflow, Dynamic Mesh, Heat Exchanger, Optimization

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