Differential Methods for the Performance Prediction of Multistream Plate-Fin Heat Exchangers

Use of traditional methods of rating can prove inaccurate or inadequate for many plate-fin heat exchanger applications. The superiority in practical situations of differential methods, based on dividing the heat exchanger into several sections and a step-wise integration of the heat transfer and pressure loss functions, is discussed. Differential methods are developed for counterflow, crossflow, and cross-counter-flow heat exchangers. The methods developed also avoid iterations at the section level calculations. Design of computer algorithms based on these methods is outlined. Two computer programs developed using the methods are presented and the results for a few typical cases are discussed.