Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers

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A heat exchanger is an instrument which transfers heat energy from a hot fluid to a cold fluid, with rates being maximum while the investment and running cost being minimum. Sometimes the media is separated by a wall such that the fluids do not mix or get into direct contact (Hebda 99). Heat exchangers have a broad area of use example being in ventilation, air conditioning and space heating. As the fluid passes through the exchanger it either loses or absorbs heat due to latent heat. This makes the temperature of the fluid in the system to change, and so does the temperature of the dividing walls between the two fluids. Examples of heat exchangers are; intercoolers, preheaters, oil coolers of heat engine, condensers, and evaporators in refrigeration units (Harriman 289). Various types of heat exchangers have been developed to meet the widely varying applications and are classified according to; nature of heat exchange process, physical state of fluid, constructional and design specs and relative direction of fluid flow. According to the nature of the heat exchange process, heat exchangers are classified as; direct and indirect contact heat exchangers. Plate and shell heat exchanger, combines both the plate heat exchangers and the shell exchangers for maximum efficiency. At the centre of the heat exchanger lies two plate that are pinned together by pressing them and welding them together. There is a noddle whose function is to carry fluids in and out of the whole system. This combination is very efficient in offering high operating temperatures, and high pressure factor that is vital in the heat exchange process. The heat exchanger is able to function well without any gaskets. This means that it is able to work under these extreme conditions without any risk of leaking the fluid during the heat exchange process. Normally different types of heat exchangers are

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