Here are some points on how to improve the efficiency of plate heat exchangers.

To improve the heat transfer coefficient of a heat exchanger, it is necessary to simultaneously increase the surface heat transfer coefficient on both the hot and cold sides of the plates, reduce the thermal resistance of the fouling layer, select plates with high thermal conductivity, and reduce the thickness of the plates.
1. Because the corrugations in a plate heat exchanger can induce turbulence in the fluid at relatively low flow velocities, a higher surface heat transfer coefficient can be achieved. The surface heat transfer coefficient is related to the geometry of the plate corrugations and the flow state of the medium. Plate corrugations include herringbone, straight, and spherical shapes. Years of research and experimentation have shown that herringbone plates with triangular corrugated cross-sections have a higher surface heat transfer coefficient. Furthermore, the larger the included angle of the corrugations and the higher the flow velocity of the medium within the channels between the plates, the greater the surface heat transfer coefficient.
2. The key to reducing the thermal resistance of the fouling layer in a heat exchanger is preventing scale buildup on the plates. When the scale thickness on the plates is 1 mm, the heat transfer coefficient decreases by approximately 10%. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the water quality on both the hot and cold sides of the heat exchanger to prevent scale buildup and to prevent impurities in the water from adhering to the plates. Some heating companies add chemicals to the heating medium to prevent water theft and corrosion of steel components; therefore, attention must be paid to water quality and the presence of viscous substances that can cause contamination of the heat exchanger plates. If there are viscous impurities in the water, a dedicated filter should be used for treatment. When selecting chemicals, non-viscous agents are preferable.
3. Plate materials can be selected from stainless steel, titanium alloy, copper alloy, etc. Stainless steel has good thermal conductivity, approximately 14.4 W/(m•K), high strength, good stamping performance, and is not easily oxidized. It is also cheaper than titanium alloy and copper alloy and is the most commonly used in heating projects. However, it has poor resistance to chloride ion corrosion.