773.774.2800
Getting the Most – Part 2
Fri, June 06, 2018
Last time, we talked about the Bornquist IDEA (Integrated Design Engineering Assistance) team and the overall concept of using the equipment output capacities of some components, such as cooling towers, to reduce the sizes of other equipment. Since the most likely component to be affected would be a plate heat exchanger, let’s spend a little time looking at how they are sized, and maybe learn a couple of tricks.
Plate heat exchangers are comprised of a series of corrugated metal (usually stainless steel) plates that are either gasketed, brazed or welded between each set of plates, creating a series of channels that are in parallel with one another. Warmer liquids flow through one set of channels and the colder liquids flow through the other. The two flow paths are in the opposite directions, known as counter-flow.
The plates themselves have different herringbone patterns. The angle of the chevron of each plate allows you to balance high heat transfer rates vs allowable pressure drop limits. Plate HX’s may have all one type of plate pattern, or they may have two or more.
Pressure drops through the heat exchanger can be critical! If the pressure drop you specify is too limiting, you may end up with a unit that is physically larger than a selection where the pressure drop may be slightly higher. Some engineers use 10 PSI as a maximum pressure drop, but we prefer to make the original selection without limits and refine the selections based on the results.
Removing the initial pressure drop limitation allows for what we call a thermally driven selection, which is the optimum choice. If the pressure drop of a thermally driven selection is too high for your system requirements, you can reduce the allowable drop and see what the impact is on your selection. And of course, your Bornquist IDEA team can work with you on the selections and relative costs of the various choices.
To select and view the impact of various conditions of your application, go to the B&G ESP-Thermal Heat Exchanger Selection Program at https://esp-systemwize.com
Next time, we will look at approach temperatures and fouling allowances for plate heat exchangers. Some things may surprise you!
Tags: bell & gossett , engineering , heat exchangers , heat transfer , HVAC , plate heat exchangers
Last time, we talked about the Bornquist IDEA (Integrated Design Engineering Assistance) team and the overall concept of using the equipment output capacities of some components, such as cooling towers, to reduce the sizes of other equipment. Since the most likely component to be affected would be a plate heat exchanger, let’s spend a little time looking at how they are sized, and maybe learn a couple of tricks.
Plate heat exchangers are comprised of a series of corrugated metal (usually stainless steel) plates that are either gasketed, brazed or welded between each set of plates, creating a series of channels that are in parallel with one another. Warmer liquids flow through one set of channels and the colder liquids flow through the other. The two flow paths are in the opposite directions, known as counter-flow.
The plates themselves have different herringbone patterns. The angle of the chevron of each plate allows you to balance high heat transfer rates vs allowable pressure drop limits. Plate HX’s may have all one type of plate pattern, or they may have two or more.
Pressure drops through the heat exchanger can be critical! If the pressure drop you specify is too limiting, you may end up with a unit that is physically larger than a selection where the pressure drop may be slightly higher. Some engineers use 10 PSI as a maximum pressure drop, but we prefer to make the original selection without limits and refine the selections based on the results.
Removing the initial pressure drop limitation allows for what we call a thermally driven selection, which is the optimum choice. If the pressure drop of a thermally driven selection is too high for your system requirements, you can reduce the allowable drop and see what the impact is on your selection. And of course, your Bornquist IDEA team can work with you on the selections and relative costs of the various choices.
To select and view the impact of various conditions of your application, go to the B&G ESP-Thermal Heat Exchanger Selection Program at https://esp-systemwize.com
Next time, we will look at approach temperatures and fouling allowances for plate heat exchangers. Some things may surprise you!
Tags: bell & gossett , engineering , heat exchangers , heat transfer , HVAC , plate heat exchangers
Recent Posts
The LPD Mag Provides a Silent Sigh of Relief to Chicago Residential Building Pump Room
A residential building in downtown Chicago was having repeated failures of their pumps with…
Xylem study analyzes life-cycle cost of HVAC systems
Xylem study analyzes life-cycle cost of HVAC systems Hydronic systems outperform VRF, analysis finds Introduction Upfront costs…
Look No Further for Packed Joints
Look No Further for Packed Joints You read it right. Metraflex has expanded its product line to…
Get Ready to be Mind Blown Holographically
As we all know, technology is rapidly taking over our lives. The introduction of AI, VR, DVD,…
Understanding NPSH Part 3
Last time, we looked at how NPSH can be impacted by a poor pump selection, such as…