Why not use Fouling factor developed by TEMA for S&T in specifying Plate Heat Exchanger ?

Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA) has developed a series of fouling factor for Shell and Tube (S&T). These fouling factor are generally higher than Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE), why not use S&T fouling factors to size PHE ?

Isn't this approach conservative and guarantee the performance ?

Reason being...

• Oversized Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) required extra CAPEX and extra Space for oversized PHE

• Tubulence minimise fouling tendencies in correctly sized PHE. Oversized PHE results low actual velocity and increase potential fouling and inefficient heat transfer

• HTRI studies showed PHE fouling significant lower than Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger (S&T)...factor of 6.7

GUIDELINE : Do not oversized PHE more than 25% against required area.

Further reading :

• Do Not Overspecified Fouling Factor s for PHE
• Why Lower Fouling in Plate Heat Exchanger ?
• Heat Exchanger Fouling Mechanism, Prevention and Treatment
• PHE - Remove some plates, will pressure drop increase ?

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