Influence of Unilateral and Bilateral Coolant Supply on the Thermal Characteristics of a Plate–Fin Heat Exchanger

The thermal state of plate–fin heat exchangers with bilateral coolant supply is studied. The heat exchangers considered are rectangular in cross section and trapezoidal in longitudinal section. Coolant is supplied from both sides (models M1 and M2) or from one side only (in model M3). Heat escapes though a hole in the smaller side of the trapezium. The flow and thermal characteristics of the heat exchangers are compared. In bilateral coolant supply, a larger area of the heat exchanger is cooled, while retaining high rates of heat transfer.