selection of surface and design of plate-fin heat exchangers using rapid design algorithm

the objective of this paper is to present a design procedure for compact plate-fin heat exchangers based on full utilization of pressure drop. since, design engineers need to indices for optimum selection of plates, an appropriate  index   is   developed  and   then based on the rapid design algorithm, developed by previous investigators, the best enveloped has been modified.  the developed index, volume performance index (vpi), considers the opposing resistances due to foling formation on both side of heat transfer surfaces so that it presents the more relaible results than the others.  bsed on the developed index an algorithm is examined with a case study to show how much it could be applied effectively. using this index, it is revealed that the total volume of heat exchanger can be obtained many times smaller and more compact than the common indices.