Thermal and hydraulic performance of sinusoidal corrugated plate heat exchanger for low temperature lift heat pump

Thermal and hydraulic performance of a sinusoidal corrugated plate heat exchanger (PHX) was investigated for the application of a low temperature lift heat pump (LTLHP), which requires unique operating conditions. The water-side heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of the PHX were obtained through the experimental test. The refrigerant-side heat transfer performance was investigated by varying several parameters. The PHX performance was poor due to low refrigerant mass flux. The PHX needs better balance in two fluids for the LTLHP application. From the current study, it is concluded that the conventional PHX applied for the LTLHP application is limited by two main factors: a large pressure drop on the water-side due to corrugated shape, and a low heat transfer performance due to the low refrigerant-side heat transfer performance. In order to address these drawbacks, heat exchanger designs must be improved by optimizing its geometry and flow area asymmetrically for each fluid.

► Plate heat exchanger was applied for the low temperature lift heat pump.
► The heat source-side heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop were measured.
► Refrigerant-side heat transfer performance was poor due to its low mass flux.
► Plate heat exchanger needs better balance in two fluids.