Differences in startup between shell-and-tube heat exchangers and plate heat exchangers
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I read in a book that when starting up a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, the cold medium is introduced first, followed by the hot medium, and this is to prevent damage to the equipment caused by overheating of the cold medium. But why is it that in a plate heat exchanger, the hot medium is introduced first and then the cold medium? There’s no explanation for that
Advanced cooling medium: When the equipment overheats, circulating water is used; however, if the flow rate of the circulating water is low, scaling can occur on that side. This problem becomes severe when the water quality is poor! In plate heat exchangers, the temperature difference between the hot and cold media is usually not large. However, considering water quality issues as well as exhaust gas, it’s better to introduce the cold medium first; the temperature of the chilled water won’t be that low anyway