Flow statistics in plate and shell heat exchangers measured with PTV

•Organized flow features prevail in the channel inlet, whereas a highly turbulent flow field occurs at the channel outlet.•Friction factors developed for Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) applied to the PSHE geometry were found appropriate for design purposes.•Friction factor, Nusselt number and forces due to shear stresses were locally estimated for the whole channel area.•Potential breakdown locations have been identified. Particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) measurements have provided inner flow features within plate and shell heat exchangers (PSHE). Measurements have been performed at Reynolds number 3450, based on the bulk velocity and the PSHE geometry at the channel mid-section. Particle trajectories have been measured. Organized flow features prevail in the channel inlet, whereas a highly turbulent flow field occurs at the channel outlet. A recirculation zone characterizes the turbulent flow field at the outlet. Gravity has been shown not to affect flow and heat transfer at this Reynolds number. The mean velocity profile is non-uniform at a given channel cross section. Friction factors developed for Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) applied to the PSHE geometry with the bulk velocity at the channel mid-plane were found appropriate for design purposes. Furthermore, friction factor, Nusselt number and forces due to shear stresses were locally estimated for the whole channel area. Potential break-down locations have been identified.