Design of Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger

In this book our objective is to explain different types of Plate-Fin Heat Exchanger and typical method of design and optimization of them.Compact heat exchangers are generally characterized by extended surfaces with large surface area /volume rations that are often configured in either plate-fin or tube-fin arrangements. Depending on the application various types of argumented heat exchanger surfaces such as plain fins wavy fins offset strip fins louvered fins and perforated fins are used .Due to use fins on both sides to interrupt boundary layer growth plate-fin heat exchanger has high effectiveness and high thermal conductivity. Thus this can lead to reduction of space requirement energy consumption weight and cost. However there is of course an associated growth in the pressure drop owing to increased friction .Therefore the optimum design of compact heat exchanger is always required as the optimal trade-off between the increased heat transfer rate and power consumption due to higher pressure drop within the given seat of constraints .