By using a set of non-dimensional parameters, the governing equations are derived for the thermal performance analysis of multi-stream plate heat exchangers. The finite-difference method is employed for the partial differential part, and the equations are solved by the Gauss-Seidel iteration method. The different configurations of multi-stream plate heat exchangers are firstly discussed. The end plate effect is then presented for two-stream plate heat exchangers. The thermal performance analysis for two different configurations of three-stream plate heat exchangers, with dividing plates and with individual plates, is finally conducted in detail. The calculation results show that the configuration with individual plates provides only small advantage over the one with dividing plates in terms of overall thermal performance.
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