Numerical study of heat transfer and pressure drop in a plate heat exchanger for cooling of marine gas turbine

Abstract

Plate heat exchangers were widely used in many fields, including cooling marine gas turbine engines. Due to the complex shape of the plate, the theoretical calculations were usually based on experimental coefficients. The CFD simulation model was often simplified to ensure meshing quality. This paper builds a simulation model of a plate heat exchanger with two seawater channels and lubricating oil separated by three cooling plates following the original complex design. Using Siemens FloEFD software to simulate conjugate heat transfer, the channels' outlet temperature and pressure drop were consistent with the theoretical calculation.