The key feature of plate heat exchangers is their compact design, in which optimum use is made of all of the material for heat transfer. The pressed in profile on the plates creates narrow flow channels, in which significant turbulence occurs. The turbulent flow allows effective heat transfer even with low flow rates and also has a self-cleaning effect. Plate heat exchangers are used in the food industry, offshore technology, refrigeration and domestic engineering.

The WL 110.02 is part of a series of units enabling experiments to be performed on different heat exchanger types. The experimental unit is ideally suited for investigating the functioning and behaviour of a plate heat exchanger in operation.

The WL 110.02 is connected to the supply unit WL 110 using quick-release couplings. The plate heat exchanger is made up of profiled plates with water flowing through the spaces between them. The plates are soldered in such a way that two separate flow channels are formed. These are one “cold” and one “hot” flow channel, in an alternating arrangement. Part of the thermal energy of the hot water is transferred to the cold water. Valves on the supply unit are used to adjust the flow rates of hot and cold water. The supply hose can be reconnected using quick-release couplings, allowing the flow direction to be reversed. This allows parallel flow or counterflow operation. The temperature sensors for measuring the inlet and outlet temperature are located at the supply connections on the WL 110.

During experiments, temperature curves are plotted and displayed graphically. Additionally, the measured values can be recorded and processed using data acquisition software. The mean heat transfer coefficient is then calculated as a characteristic variable.