Numerical and experimental analysis of composite fouling in corrugated plate heat exchangers

This paper provides a numerical and experimental analysis on precipitation and particulate fouling in corrugated plate heat exchangers with different geometric parameters which are plate height, plate spacing, and plate angle. The Realizable κ-ε model with non-equilibrium wall functions is used in the 3D numerical simulation considering the realistic geometries of the flow channel to obtained Nusselt number and wall shear stress, while Von-Karman analogy is used to obtain mass transfer coefficient. Numerical analysis is verified by experimental study. The predicted influence of fluid velocity in fouling resistance is compatible with experimental data that it can help to optimize the design of plate heat exchangers. This investigation significantly simplifies the fouling analysis of complex flow fields and can be used to assess the fouling potential of corrugated plate heat exchangers.