Temperature Distributions in Plate-Fin Type Heat Exchangers

Abstract

A method for obtaining the fluid and metal temperatures in a plate-fin type heat exchanger is presented. The method is general and can be applied to any configuration operating at any specified fluid conditions. The method is illustrated by its application to the recuperator of the cross-flow type and cross-counter flow (Z) type for small gas turbines. It is concluded that Z type is more compact and will suffer the least from the thermal stresses.