Investigation of the residence time distribution in a plate heat exchanger with series and parallel arrangements using a non-ideal tracer detection technique

Autor(es)

Gutierrez, Carola G. C. C. ^[1] ; Dias, Eduardo F. T. S. ^[1] ; Gut, Jorge A. W. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Chem Engn, Escola Politecn, BR-05424970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING; v. 31, n. 10, p. 1725-1733, JUL 2011.
• Citações Web of Science: 11
• Assunto(s): Hidrodinâmica

Resumo

The objective was to study the flow pattern in a plate heat exchanger (PHE) through residence time distribution (RTD) experiments. The tested PHE had flat plates and it was part of a laboratory scale pasteurization unit. Series flow and parallel flow configurations were tested with a variable number of passes and channels per pass. Owing to the small scale of the equipment and the short residence times, it was necessary to take into account the influence of the tracer detection unit on the RID data. Four theoretical RID models were adjusted: combined, series combined, generalized convection and axial dispersion. The combined model provided the best fit and it was useful to quantify the active and dead space volumes of the PHE and their dependence on its configuration. Results suggest that the axial dispersion model would present good results for a larger number of passes because of the turbulence associated with the changes of pass. This type of study can be useful to compare the hydraulic performance of different plates or to provide data for the evaluation of heat-induced changes that occur in the processing of heat-sensitive products. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 06/01628-0 - Modelagem matemática e validação experimental da pasteurização contínua de alimentos líquidos em trocadores de calor a placas
• Beneficiário: Jorge Andrey Wilhelms Gut
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular