Can the hot and cold medium inlets and outlets of the plate heat exchanger be interchanged?
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Our factory is undergoing renovation of an old project. Due to the small space and many tubes, we want to change the cold medium inlet and outlet of the plate heat exchanger to the hot medium, and the hot medium inlet and outlet to the cold medium. Can they be interchanged?
If it is a low-pressure ordinary heat exchanger with two media, it is acceptable, but it is not acceptable for a medium-high-pressure, multi-media heat exchanger. In addition, the flow rate of the medium must also be considered. (for reference)
They are not interchangeable, the plate structures are different.
They are interchangeable, but the heating effect is inferior to the original, and the related plate structure must also be considered.
Basically it is not feasible. For Alfa Laval's heat exchanger, since the speed, shear force and flow rate of the subcooled and hot fluids have been calculated in advance, the method of mutual exchange under a fixed heat duty (heat load) needs to be discussed....
Under normal circumstances, equal channel plate heat exchangers are possible (counterflow can always be maintained, and the effect is basically unaffected). The flow rate and flow guide design are the same for each plate. But for some special designs (such as multiple processes, unequal channels), this is not possible. If possible, please communicate at QQ149057582.
Is the pressure of the medium equivalent to the heat exchange area?
Generally speaking, there is no problem, as long as the flow is countercurrent.