A method to combine local heat transfer and flow visualization of flow boiling in frame-and-plate heat exchanger

摘要

This paper presents the development of a novel method to combine measurement of local heat transfer coefficient and flow visualization in frame-and-plate heat exchanger (FPHE). A special plate was instrumented using two original chevron plates and clay as thermal infills. Thermocouples were deployed on the inner surfaces of the two plates. With the known thickness and thermal conductivity of the clay, the instrumented plate functions as a heat flux sensor. After calibration, this plate was installed to measure fluid heat transfer from one side, while leaving visual access from the other. Preliminary results of water-water single-phase heat transfer and R245fa-water flow boiling were presented. Combined with visualization, the method provides a viable solution to relate local heat transfer with flow regime within a plate channel, while preserving the real geometry and operating condition.