Mathematical modelling of turbulent flow for flue gas-air Chevron type plate heat exchangers

A mathematical model of a plate recuperative heat exchanger was developed in order to recover energy for refinery flue gases and preheating of the inlet air of a combustion chamber. Two-dimensional, compressible and turbulent flow conditions were undertaken. After the model verified, the results revealed that, replacing flat plate to Chevron-type plates led to major changes through the velocity vectors into the angular and eddy forms. Moreover, as the Chevron angle increased, more pronounced changes observed in the velocity vectors. Also it was revealed that, a five folds enhancement in the Reynolds number led to increasing of the corresponding Nusselt number and the pressure drop while lowering the Fanning friction factor. The bigger angle of the Chevron type plates resulted in 18% enhancement in the output air temperature as well as; an increase in the resulting flue gas pressure drop of 63% in comparison with the plate heat exchanger.