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Plate Heat Exchanger Calculator
Calculate the required heat transfer area for a plate heat exchanger. Enter the heat load, U-value, and the four temperature points to get the area and LMTD.
How to Size a Plate Heat Exchanger
The required heat transfer area is calculated as: A = Q ÷ (U × LMTD), where Q is the heat load, U is the overall heat transfer coefficient, and LMTD is the Log Mean Temperature Difference.
Plate heat exchangers typically achieve U-values of 3,000–8,000 W/m²K due to their turbulent flow and large surface area, making them much more compact than shell-and-tube exchangers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LMTD?
LMTD (Log Mean Temperature Difference) is the effective temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids in a heat exchanger. It accounts for the changing temperature difference along the heat exchanger length.
What U-value should I use for plate heat exchangers?
Water-to-water plate heat exchangers typically achieve 3,000–8,000 W/m²K. Use 5,000 as a reasonable default for water-to-water applications.
Plate Heat Exchanger Calculator
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