Practical No: Date

Plate Type Heat Exchanger

Practical significant: This practical helps in thermal industries where heat transfer from nor fluid
to another is considered. In milk pasteurization plant where milk is to be rapidly heated and
cooled, this type of heat exchanger is mainly used.
Skill Developed:
• Safety skill
• Performance skill
• Analytic skill
• Knowledge improved about instruments
• Objective: To find efficiency of plate type heat exchanger.

Assumptions:
• Negligible heat loss
• Steady state operating condition
Specifications:
Heat exchanger - Alfa Lavel 5plates 180mm *400 mm
Sump tank - storage water
Lift pump- supply water to unit at constant head
Geyser- To heat water (capacity 1.5litre )
Measuring tank - size: 225mm*225mm*220mm
Digital temperature indicator- To measure inlet outlet temperatures f water
Piping and valves- To regulate flow of water

Theory:
The heat exchangers are three types...
• Transfer Type
• Direct contact type
• Storage type
Plate type heat exchanger is transfer type heat exchanger in which both fluid passes
simultaneously and transfer of heat takes place through separating walls between fluids.
The apparatus consists of 5 plate Alfa Laval heat exchanger. The hot water is obtained from
geyser. Water from supply line flows into sump tank which is lifted by circulation pump and
flows in three ways geyser -hot water side, cold water side and return to pump.

HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY

Department of Mechanical Engineering
BIRLA VISHVAKARMA MAHAVIDYALAYA
The outlet flow of both fluid are positioned over measuring tank.
Either of two fluid is diverted to drain and other falls in tank. Flow rats are measured by
measuring tank and stop clock. The temperature are measured by temperature indicator.

Precautions:
• Do not start geyser unless water flow is started.
• Do not start pump before priming.
• Do not allow dirt to fall in tank.
• Make sure earthling connection before start electricity unit.
Procedure:
• Connect water supply to pump. When tank is filled about 2/3 , make electrical
connections of pump and geyser.
• Prime the pump and start water flow through hot and cold side. Adjust hot water flow
between 1-3 liter/min and cold water flow between 2-6 liter/min. start the geyser.
• When all temperatures reach steady state, note down reading. Repeat procedure for
different flow rates.
Observation Table

Calculation:
• Heat transfer rate hot side= heat given by hot water/hr.
• Qh= mh*Cph*dTh
• Cold side heat transfer rate= heat gained by cold water/hr
• Qc=mc * Cpc*dTc
• Efficiency= mc* Cpc * dTc /mh *Cph(Thi-Tci)
Computation Table

Result: The efficiency of plate type heat exchanger is _________%.

Interpretation of result:
• This type of heat exchanger has high efficiency than other types of heat exchanger. It is
more compact than shell and tube type heat exchanger having same capacity.
HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY
Department of Mechanical Engineering
BIRLA VISHVAKARMA MAHAVIDYALAYA
Conclusion:
• By performing practical, our performance and analytic skill has been developed and
knowledge about plate type heat exchanger instruments has improved.

HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY

Department of Mechanical Engineering
BIRLA VISHVAKARMA MAHAVIDYALAYA