Flow distribution and pressure drop in plate heat exchangers—II Z-type arrangement

To investigate the flow distribution and the pressure drop in the Z-type arrangement plate heat exchangers, a theoretical analysis has been made including mass and momentum balances for a flow element in both the intake and exhaust conduits. Calculations based on one-dimensional flow equations have been carried out. It is found that the flow distribution and the pressure drop can be determined by a general characteristic parameter (m). Nearly uniform flow distribution may be obtained when m is equal to zero. In the case when m2 is positive, the channel flow rates will increase in the direction of the intake stream. If m2 is negative the channel flow rates will also increase in the intake stream direction. The analysis also shows that the total pressure drop in plate heat exchangers is practically the same for both U - and Z-type arrangements. The results are applicable to a wide variety of combinations of heat exchanger dimensions, channel goemetries and fluid velocity. They are summarized by charts that permit a designer quickly to estimate the flow patterns.