Electromechanical Engineering Technology Program

EMEX 291 Heat Exchangers OCT

Lab Experiment-2

PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER

Experiment Date: 28 / 9 / 2021 CRN: 1617

Submitted by:
Student Name: ID:

Abdulla Ali A00044562

Nawal Saeed A00040369

Salem Alkayyoomi A00049951

Mohammed Abdulla A00036570

Supervised By: Eng. Firas Al Hammadi

 Table of Contents

List of figures and tables..........................................................................................................3

Objectives.................................................................................................................................4

Introduction..............................................................................................................................4

Apparatus.................................................................................................................................5

Theory......................................................................................................................................7

Procedure.................................................................................................................................9

Results....................................................................................................................................10

Discussion..............................................................................................................................14

Conclusions............................................................................................................................15

References..............................................................................................................................16

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 List of figures and tables

Figure 1.Plate heat exchanger..........................................................................................................4

Figure 2. The Service Module (TD360), an Optional Heat Exchanger (TD360a) and the Optional

VDAS-F Hardware..........................................................................................................................5

Figure 3. Plate heat exchanger.........................................................................................................5

Figure 4. Parts of plate heat exchanger............................................................................................6

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Objectives
 To understand the construction & working of the Plate heat exchanger.
 To evaluate the effects of varying flow rates on the overall heat transfer coefficient in
both parallel flow & counter flow connections (hot flow rate & heater temperature are
fixed)
Introduction
A heat exchanger is a device that allows heat from a fluid (a liquid or a gas) to pass to a second
fluid (another liquid or gas) without the two fluids having to mix together or come into direct
contact. A heat exchanger can have several different flow patterns. Counter flow, parallel flow,
and crossflow are common heat exchanger types.
Plate Heat Exchangers:
A plate heat exchanger is a type of heat exchanger that uses metal plates to transfer heat between
two fluids. This has a major advantage over a conventional heat exchanger in that the fluids are
exposed to a much larger surface area because the fluids spread out over the plates. This
facilitates the transfer of heat, and greatly increases the speed of the temperature change.
The plate heat exchanger normally consists of corrugated plates assembled into a frame. The hot
fluid flows in one direction in alternating chambers while the cold fluid flows in true co-current
flow in the other alternating chambers. A schematic diagram of the flow is shown in Figure 1.
The fluids are directed into their proper chambers either by a suitable gasket or a weld depending
on the type of exchanger chosen. Traditionally, plate and frame exchangers have been used
almost exclusively for liquid to liquid heat transfer.

Figure 1.Plate heat exchanger.

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Apparatus

Figure 2. The Service Module (TD360), an Optional Heat Exchanger (TD360a) and the Optional VDAS-F Hardware

Figure 3. Plate heat exchanger

This heat exchanger is compact and efficient. This makes it good for applications who have
unlimited space. Richard invented the plate heat exchanger in 1923, where there are layers of
metal plates separated by spacers knowing as gaskets. And the gaskets have holes that make the
hot and cold-water pass in the circuits alternately through the plates. Circuits are completely

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separated by the heat that transfers between the process while the cold and hot water are passed
through the metal plates.

Figure 4. Parts of plate heat exchanger

Plate heat exchanger:

The plate heat exchanger is the most precise type of the heat exchange with its low cost, easy
maintenance and high thermal transfer. It designed to achieve turbulence across the entire heat
transfer area. The plate Heat Exchanger consists with a specific number of gasket plates that are
fixed between a top carrying bar and a lower guide bar. The plates are compressed by means of
tie bars between stationary frame plate called (head) and a movable frame that called (the
follower). Fluids can enter the plate through the frame connection and distributed in between the
plates. The flow that’s goes the alternate passages between the plates is controlled by the
placement of the gaskets. These are available in multi and single pass arrangements depending
upon the application.

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Theory
The equations for calculating the performance characteristics: power emitted, power absorbed, power lost,
efficiency (η); logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD), and overall heat transfer coefficient (U).
1. The average Temperature of the hot flow is :

𝑇ℎ1 + 𝑇ℎ2
𝑇ℎ =
2
2. The average Temperature of the cold flow is :
Tc1 + Tc2
T=
c
2
3. The delta Temperature of the hot flow is :

∆Th = Th1 − Th2

4. The delta Temperature of the cold flow is :

∆Tc = Tc2 − Tc1

5. The cold flow efficiency is:

𝜂𝐶 ∆𝑇𝐶
= 𝑥100
𝑇𝐻1−𝑇𝐶1
6. The hot flow efficiency is:

𝜂
∆𝑇𝐻
= 𝑥100
𝐻 𝑇𝐻1−𝑇𝐶1

7. The mean temperature efficiency

is:
𝜂𝐻 + 𝜂𝐶
𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝜂 = 𝑥100
2
8. The density of the hot flow is :

ρH
2
999.839 + 16.952 (TH) − 7.990 (10−3)(TH ) − 46.241(10−6)(TH3) + 105.846(10−9)(TH4) − 281.030(10−12)(TH5)
=

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1 + 16.887 (10−3)(TH)

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 9. The density of the cold flow is :

ρc =

999.839+16.952 ( Tc )−7.990 ( 10−3 ) ( Tc 2 )−46.241 ( 10−6 ) ( Tc3 ) +105.846 ( 10−9 )( Tc 4 ) −281.030(10−12 )(Tc 5)
−3
1+16.887 (10 )(Tc)

10. LMTD:

(Th 1−Tc 1 )−(Th 2−Tc 2)

¿
(Th1−Tc1)
ln
Th2−Tc2

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Procedure

1- Place the Plate heat exchanger on to the front of the service module & Connect the shell

and tube heat exchanger in counter flow connection.

2- Connect the thermocouples to their sockets as shown in the diagram on the bedplate of the

heat exchanger.

3- Open the main valve then open the cold and hot supply valve.

4- Press the fill tank button to fill the water tank.

5- Switch ON the main switch.

6- Switch ON the heater to 50 C. (set the temp to 50 degrees)

7- After reaching the set temperature, Switch ON the pump and fix the flow rate to 3 L/min

for hot and 3,2,1 L/min for cold.

8- Wait for 5 minutes, then take the readings of TH1, TH2, TC1 and TC2.

9- Next change the flow rate of cold flow to 3.0 L/min.

10- After 5 minutes, take the readings of TH1, TH2, TC1 and TC2.

11- Change the flow rate to 2 L/min for cold flow.

12- After 5 minutes, take the readings of TH1, TH2, TC1 and TC2.

13- Change the flow rate to 1 L/min for cold.

14- After 5 minutes, take the readings of TH1, TH2, TC1 and TC2.

15- Switch OFF the heater and pump then switch OFF the main switch.

16- Close the main valve.

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Results

Plate Heat Exchanger: Counter Flow:

Table 1. Measurements for parallel flow connection

Parallel flow 
Temperature: 50 degrees (Celcius)
Hot Cold TH1  TH2  TC1  TC2 ηH (%)  ηC(%)  ηmean(%) 
flow flow 
(l/min)  (l/min) 
2.99 2.98 46.9 45.3 28 29 8.84% 5.52% 7.18%

∆ T H =T H −T H =46.9−45.3=1.6 ° C
1 2

∆ T C =|T C −T H C |=28−29=1 ° C
1 2

∆TH 1.6
ηH= ∗100= ∗100=8.84 %
T H −T C
1 1
46.1−28

∆T C 1
ηC = ∗100= ∗100=5.52 %
T H −T C
1 1
46.1−28

ηC +η H 8.84+5.52
mean η= = =7.18 %
2 2

46.9+45.3
avg T H = =46.1℃
2
28+29
avg T c = =28.5 ℃
2

Density of hot and Cold water:

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ρ H =989.735 kg / m

ρ H =9 56 . 6 5 0 kg/m3
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Volumetric flow rate for both of them from L/min to m^3 / s
3∗1
∗1 m3
min
∗1 min
1000 L
V= =5∗1 0−5 m3 / s
60 sec

kg
mH =ρH V H =989.735 ( 5∗10−5 )=0.049
s
kg
mc =ρc V c =9 56 . 6 5 0 ( 5∗1 0 )=0. 0478
−5
s

( 46.9−28 )−( 45.3−29 )

=17.6 ° C
LMTD =
ln (
46.9−28
45.3−29 )

Figure 5: reading results of cold temperature

Figure 6: reading results of hot temperature

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Counter flow 
Temperature: 50 degrees (Celcius)
Table 2. Measurements for counter flow connection

Hot Cold TH1  TH2  TC1  TC2 ηH (%)  ηC(%)  ηmean(%) 

flow flow 
(l/min)  (l/min) 
3 3 51 49.4 28 29.4 8.84% 5.52% 7.18%

∆ T H =T H −T H =51−49.4=1.6 °C
1 2

∆ T C =|T C −T H C |=28−29.4=1 .4 ° C
1 2

∆TH 1.6
ηH= ∗100= ∗100=6.956 %
T H −T C
1 1
51−28

∆T C 1.4
ηC = ∗100= ∗100=7 %
T H −T C
1 1
4 9.4−29.4

ηC +η H 6.956 +7
mean η= = =6.978 %
2 2

51+ 49 . 4
avg T H = =50.2 ℃
2
28+29 .4
avg T c = =28. 7 ℃
2

Density of hot and Cold water:

3
ρ H =98 7 . 93 kg /m
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ρ H =956. 127 kg /m3

Volumetric flow rate for both of them from L/min to m^3 / s

3∗1
∗1 m3
min
∗1 min
1000 L
V= =5∗1 0−5 m3 / s
60 sec

kg
mH =ρH V H =987.93 ( 5∗10 )=0.049 4
−5
s
kg
mc =ρc V c =956.127 ( 5∗1 0 ) =0.0478
−5
s

( 51−28 )− ( 4 9 . 4−29 .4 )
=21.47 °C
LMTD =
ln (51−28
49.4−29 .4 )

Figure 7: reading results of cold temperature

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 Figure 8: reading results of hot temperature

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Discussion

The temperature difference in hot water that flowing through the plate heat exchanger
decreases from 1.6℃ to 1℃ and this is due to the decrease in the flow of cold water and
the constant flow of hot water. It results in less cooling of the cold water. On the contrary,
the temperature difference in cold water that flows through the plate exchanger increases
(from 1.6℃ to 1.4℃ ) and this is due to the decreasing flow of cold water and the
constant flow of hot water. Such variation in temperature are due to the steady hot water
flow while the cold-water flow decreases. This therefore results in less cooling of the hot
water and more heating of the cold water. It averaged at 21.47℃ for the LMTD.

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Conclusions

Heat Exchanger is the most important in mechanical industries and most used. We’ve understood

all the components in the plate heat exchanger and how it works. Students were able to do the

calculations that required in this lab. However, we understand the differences and the common

fluid flows in both temperatures. We found that in the hot water, the temperature decreases and

in the cold water, the temperature is increase. Were the hot water remains higher due the fluids

when its flow.

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References

[1] – Evans, P., Evanshttp, P., & Evans, P. (2020, May 31). How Plate Heat Exchangers Work.
Retrieved from https://theengineeringmindset.com/how-plate-heat-exchangers-work/
[2] – How gasketed plate heat exchangers work. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.alfalaval.com/microsites/gasketed-plate-heat-exchangers/tools/how-gphes-work/
[3] – Plate Heat Exchangers. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/plate-heat-exchangers

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