channels of plate heat exchanger
Plate heat exchanger is a highly efficient device for transferring heat between fluids and consists of a series of parallel metal plates that have corrugated shapes for increasing fluid turbulence and heat exchange area.
H-channel: Consisted of plates with large adjacent angles
High heat transfer coefficient and high resistance. Suitable for small flow rates but high heat transfer (high specific heat, with phase change or large temperature difference), e.g.: refrigerant phase change heat transfer.
M-channel: Consisted of a mixture of adjacent plates with large&small angles
Heat transfer coefficient and resistance between H and L-channels.
L-channel: Consisted of adjacent plates with small angles
Low heat transfer coefficient and low resistance. Suitable for high flow rate but weak heat transfer (low specific heat or small temperature difference), e.g.: air heat transfer at ambient pressure.