Overview
The Plate Type Heat Exchanger apparatus features a gasketed plate-and-frame design where hot and cold fluids flow in alternate channels formed between corrugated metal plates. The high surface-area-to-volume ratio of the plate exchanger enables superior thermal performance compared to shell-and-tube designs. Students determine the overall heat transfer coefficient, LMTD, pressure drop, and effectiveness for various flow rates and temperature conditions. The apparatus demonstrates why plate heat exchangers are preferred in food processing, dairy, pharmaceutical, and HVAC applications where high efficiency and easy cleaning are required.
Specifications
| Number of plates | 10 to 20 (removable) |
| Plate material | stainless steel 316L |
| Gasket material | EPDM / nitrile rubber |
| Hot fluid temperature | up to 90 degrees C |
| Flow rate | 1 to 10 LPM per stream |
| Temperature sensors | RTD / thermocouples, 4 points |
| Pressure gauges | inlet and outlet (both streams) |
| Power supply | 220V AC, 50 Hz |