Visualization of one-phase flow in Chevron-plate heat exchangers and their performance

Modern plate heat exchangers with chevron corrugation patterns are spread across a range of applications both in one- and two-phase flow regimes due to their compactness and superior thermal-hydraulic performance when compared to the other types of heat exchangers. Recently a limited number of experimental studies have been undertaken to understand the influence of corrugation angles and the ratio of corrugation depth to wave length (b/l) on the flow pattern and in turn on the heat transfer and pressure drop. In order to clarify this complex issue, visualization tests have been performed on a model of a plate heat exchanger (PHE) having only a single channel composed of one metal and one plastic transparent plate with identical corrugation.