Abstract
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•Introducing novel parallel and non-parallel configuration for PHE.•Hydrothermal irreversibility analysis of the modified PHE.•Combination of flow direction and plats structure makes different entropy generation.•Each case was evaluated based on ηW-S and NH concepts.
Parallel configuration is the main common and conventional structure of the plate heat exchangers. However, this paper focuses on non-parallel configuration for these types of heat exchangers and clarifies whether these configurations are more thermally efficient compared to the parallel plates. Besides, frictional and exergetic behavior of non-parallel structures are investigated as well. As shown in the graphical abstract, eight configurations are possible for non-parallel structures all of which are comprehensively studied in this research using a validated 3-D numerical simulation. The results show that the non-parallel plates provide higher Nusselt number and thermal performance factor compared to the common parallel plates. In the same value of inlet mass flow rate, case “e” in which hot fluid moves though the converge channel and cold fluid moves through the divergent channel obtains the maximum Nu number. Obtained thermal performance factors higher than unity show the positive role of non-parallel structures with consideration of both Nusselt number and friction factor. Generally, it is concluded that non-parallel structures can be considered as an efficient method to augment the efficiency of plate heat exchangers. Many other parameters in term of second law of thermodynamics are studied for all structures as well in this study.