Water, glycol (MEG/MPG) or custom fluids · all assumptions visible · verify final selection with manufacturer data
v1.0
ⓘUse logic: mark only one unknown process value with [calc] unless you are solving duty/outlet. For geometry-based U, the app iterates plate count and U until the final selected plate geometry is consistent. All assumptions are visible and editable.
⚠ Inputs changed since the last calculation.
🔴 Hot / primary side
Choose 0% on either glycol option for pure water
vol-% ethylene glycol. 0 = pure water, 50 = MEG 50%
kg/m³
kJ/kgK
cP (mPa·s)
W/mK
ⓘLight oil uses fixed representative properties (ρ≈880 kg/m³, cp≈2.0 kJ/kgK, k≈0.13 W/mK; viscosity from a temperature table). For a specific oil, brine or other fluid, use Custom fluid and enter manufacturer/datasheet values.
°C
°C
m³/h
kPa
m²K/W. Manual box is active only for custom.
🔵 Cold / secondary side
Choose 0% on either glycol option for pure water
vol-% ethylene glycol. 0 = pure water, 50 = MEG 50%
kg/m³
kJ/kgK
cP (mPa·s)
W/mK
ⓘLight oil uses fixed representative properties (ρ≈880 kg/m³, cp≈2.0 kJ/kgK, k≈0.13 W/mK; viscosity from a temperature table). For a specific oil, brine or other fluid, use Custom fluid and enter manufacturer/datasheet values.
°C
°C
m³/h
kPa
m²K/W. Manual box is active only for custom.
Duty, area and plate count rules
kW
F=1 for 1/1 pass (true counterflow). For multi-pass, the app attempts a shell-and-tube-style approximation; this formula is mathematically undefined for many high-effectiveness PHE duties — when that happens F is set to 1.00 and flagged, rather than guessed. Use vendor/PHE-specific F data for multi-pass whenever possible.
% extra area after thermal sizing
Supplier selections may be even or odd
U methodGeometry based
ⓘ
W/m²K; treated as already including fouling/margin except area margin
W/m²K from supplier output
kPa; optional for calibration display
kPa; optional
Plate geometry and channel modeleditable
ⓘOrdinary plate design factors: plate gap, effective width/length, corrugation enlargement factor, chevron angle/correlation constants, pass count, port diameter, inactive/end plates, fouling and pressure-loss coefficients. Manufacturer software uses proprietary geometry. Aplate is used for thermal area and L is used for pressure drop. Default behavior is consistent geometry: Aplate is calculated from W × L × φ. Vendor/manual Aplate is available as an advanced override and will warn if it conflicts with W × L × φ.
one-click helper only: fills Aplate, gap, W, L, port and φ; nothing is locked
keeps thermal area and hydraulic geometry consistent; calculated field becomes blue/read-only
m²/plate. Default is calculated from W×L×φ; switch to vendor/manual only when supplier area convention is known
Choose to match vendor convention
used only if selected above
m²; active only when area rule = Manual area. This is an override, not calculated from W/L/φ.
mm; typical BPHE/PHE 1.8–3.5
mm; flow width, not outer plate width
m; used in ΔP as L/Dh and optionally to calculate Aplate
corrugated/effective vs projected area; typical 1.10–1.30
m²/plate; live check/preview, not a separate input
auto is approximation for narrow channels
mm; used only when manual mode selected
mm; affects port velocity and port ΔP
thermal F may need <1 when passes differ/complex
pressure drop is multiplied by passes
manual is best for exact vendor arrangement
used only in manual allocation
used only in manual allocation
mm; supplier MB-08: 0.4 mm
W/mK; AISI 316L – 14–16
multiplies Nu/h; calibrate to vendor
mechanical/manufacturing minimum
Correlation and pressure-loss constants
Preset helper for Nu/friction constants; exact values remain vendor specific.
ⓘμ/μw wall-viscosity correction was removed as a manual field. Without wall temperature it is usually guessed incorrectly, so this app uses μcorr = 1.00 and reports that assumption in the summary.
Nu = C·Re^m·Pr^n·correction
typical empirical PHE range 0.6–0.75
1/3 to 0.4 commonly used
fixed at 1.00; wall temperature not solved
f_lam = C/Re
f_turb = C/Re^e
empirical
entry+exit; calibrate to vendor
multiplies hot ΔP
multiplies cold ΔP
Results overview—
—
—
PHE——
—
—
Duty
—kW
U used
—W/m²K
—
Area required
—m²
—
Selected area
—m²
Plates
—
Temperature and capacity
ΔT1
—°C
ΔT2
—°C
Min approach
—°C
—
LMTD × F
—°C
ε / NTU
—
—
U and hydraulics
h hot
—W/m²K
—
h cold
—W/m²K
—
U clean / eff geom
—
—
Hot ΔP
—kPa
Cold ΔP
—kPa
Validation & confidence status—
Overall confidence——
Energy balance——
Correlation range——
Hydraulic limits——
Geometry visualizationnot to scale
—
Sensitivity analysisquick checks
Case
U used
Required area
Approx. plates
Comment
Case comparison by plate presetsame process conditions
Preset
Aplate
Plates
Area
U used
Hot/Cold ΔP
Status
Parameter guidanceengineering ranges
Parameter
Current
Typical guidance
Status
Pressure drop breakdowndebug view
Term
Hot side
Cold side
Meaning
Complete calculation summary
ⓘPerformance check uses its own fixed HX specification below. No hidden design-tab geometry is used. Enter the actual plate count, area convention, U and geometry from a supplier sheet when available.