Principle of Compact Plate Heat Exchanger

Compact plate heat exchangers (PHEs) operate on the principle of transferring heat between two fluids through a series of thin, corrugated metal plates clamped together in a frame. These plates are arranged to form parallel flow channels, with the hot and cold fluids flowing in alternating channels, ensuring they are never mixed. The highly efficient heat transfer is achieved due to the large surface area provided by the plates and the turbulent flow induced by the corrugated patterns, which disrupts the boundary layer and enhances thermal exchange. This design allows for a significantly greater heat transfer coefficient compared to traditional shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The compact nature of the unit stems from this ability to achieve a high rate of heat transfer in a relatively small physical footprint, making it an ideal solution for applications where space is at a premium. The gaps between plates are sealed by gaskets, which contain the fluids and direct them into the respective channels. The efficiency of this mechanism is proven in countless industrial applications, with data from the Heat Transfer Research, Inc. (HTRI) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) consistently showing that PHEs can achieve thermal effectiveness values often exceeding 90% in suitable duties. Their modular construction also allows for easy capacity expansion or reduction by simply adding or removing plates, providing exceptional operational flexibility.

Why Use Compact Plate Heat Exchanger