Performance analysis of a compact heat exchanger

Abstract

Compact heat exchangers are one of the most critical components of many cryogenic components; they are characterized by a high heat transfer surface area per unit volume of the exchanger. The heat exchangers having surface area density (β) greater than 700 m2/m3 in either one or more sides of two-stream or multi stream heat exchanger is called as a compact heat exchanger. Plate fin heat exchanger is a type of compact heat exchanger which is widely used in automobiles, cryogenics, space applications and chemical industries. The plate fin heat exchangers are mostly used for the nitrogen liquefiers, so they need to be highly efficient because no liquid nitrogen is produced, if the effectiveness of heat exchanger is less than 87%. So it becomes necessary to test the effectiveness of these heat exchangers before putting them in to operation.