Compact Heat Exchangers

5Generation of Design Data – Finite Volume Analysis

5.1 Introduction

Increasing awareness for the effective utilization of energy resources, minimizing operating cost and maintenance‐free operation have led to the development of efficient heat exchangers such as compact heat exchangers. London and Shah [1] in their elaborate discussion of the classification of heat exchangers have defined the “compact heat exchanger” as one having a surface area density of more than 700 m² per m³. Such compactness is achieved by providing the extended surfaces, that is, fins on the flow passages that work as the secondary heat transfer area.

Various techniques can be used to make heat exchangers more compact. There are three general types of extended surface geometries which can be used to increase gas‐side heat transfer coefficients (a) finned‐tube heat exchanger with flat fins (b) finned‐tube heat exchanger with individually finned tubes and (c) plate‐fin heat exchangers. The most common compact heat exchangers are plate‐fin heat exchangers. London [2] provided the information about the design methodology of CHEs.

5.2 Plate Fin Heat Exchanger

The plate‐fin heat exchanger is a type of compact heat exchanger where the heat transfer surface area is enhanced by providing an extended metal surface interface between the two fluids, referred to as the fins. Out of the various compact heat exchangers, plate‐fin heat exchangers are unique due to their construction and performance. They are characterized ...