Effect of inlet flow maldistribution on the thermal performance of a three-fluid crossflow heat exchanger

This study investigates the effect of flow maldistribution on the thermal performance of a three-fluid crossflow heat exchanger by the numerical method. In the inlets of three fluid streams, this study considers four modes of flow nonuniformity arrangement by using three flow maldistribution models. According to the results of temperature fields, effectiveness and deterioration factor, this study discusses the deterioration or promotion due to the flow maldistribution in the heat exchanger. The results indicate that there is a best one in choice between the four maldistribution modes and the best flow maldistribution mode promotes the thermal performance of a three-fluid crossflow heat exchanger when NTU and heat capacity rate ratios are large.