Study of single-phase convection and condensation in thermoplate heat exchanger (part I)

Abstract

Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 1-4 July, 2007.

The heat transfer and pressure drop in a thermoplate heat exchanger operated as condenser have been investigated experimentally. In order to separate the heat transfer resistances in the condensation process, first the single phase forced convection in the thermoplate using distilled water and Marlotherm oil has been studied and correlation for the Nusselt number and friction factor developed. For the condensation experiments an apparatus has been conceived comprising two identical condensers made of the same thermoplate type as employed in the single phase experiments. Isopropanol was used as test fluid at pressures below the atmospheric pressure. With the aid of the results obtained in the single phase studies the heat transfer resistances in the condensation experiments were separated and expressions for the condensation heat transfer and pressure drop developed.