Logarithmic mean pressure difference - A new concept in the analysis of the flow distribution in parallel channels of plate heat exchangers

This paper deals with a new concept of logarithmic mean pressure difference (LMPD) to find an accurate mean or true friction coefficient for variable flow in parallel flow channels of the plate heat exchangers while considering the first and the last channel pressure drops. This is analogous to the log mean temperature difference (LMTD) used for the computation of heat transfer in heat exchangers. A method has been suggested to improve the computation of mean or a newly defined "true friction factor" and the mean velocity for considerable flow variations in the channels. A comparative study has been made between the conventional average friction factor and the true mean friction factor for large parallel channels. The results have also been compared between the mean channel pressure drop and LMPD for different sizes of the channels. The analysis shows that the mean channel pressure drop of parallel channels can be predicted accurately by using the so-called true mean friction factor rather than the average friction factor. Using the LMPD method, one can find the last channel pressure drop by knowing the first channel pressure drop of the plate package. Hence, the nature of flow distribution in parallel channels can be predicted easily. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.