The effect of plate corrugations geometry on performance of plate heat exchangers subjected to fouling

Abstract

The novel approach of estimating the influence of plate corrugations geometry on plate heat exchanger (PHE) operation in conditions of fouling is proposed. It is based on the presented mathematical model of the PHE with commercially produced plates. To account for fouling on the heat transfer surface, the fouling model of reaction and transport type presented in dimensionless form is employed. The influence of plate corrugations geometry on PHE performance is discussed on results of modelling PHE installed for thin juice heating at evaporation station of the sugar factory. The corrugations inclination angle to the main flow direction is considered as the main influencing parameter. The effect of this parameter on fouling intensity is shown for the cases when the plates with different corrugations angle are used in one PHE. The measures to mitigate fouling in PHE by optimal selection of plate corrugations geometry are discussed.