Optimization of Plate Heat Exchanger to Enhance Pressure Drop by Finite Volume Method

The model has been simulated using ANSYS software on fluent domain 15.0 workbench in order to observe various parameters effecting the frictional Pressure Drop (Pa) between plates and inlet and outlet port Pressure Drop (Pa) of plate heat exchanger. Four types of configurations of plate have been used i.e. wavy, tapered, dimpled and bubbled shape. An optimized model of plate heat exchanger has been developed as stated configurations of plate heat exchanger. The simulations have been performed at a different fluid temperature i.e. 10℃, 15℃, 20℃, that is the temperature of liquid water flowing between plate heat exchanger of different channel shape with Reynolds number ranging between 200 - 350. The simulation of the optimized model gives higher value of frictional Pressure Drop with inlet and outlet port Pressure Drop. The results are validated with reported existing experimental data. The configuration of bubbled plate gives maximum convergence on all parameters amongst all the configurations used.