Predicted and Measured Pressure Drop in Parallel Plate Rotary Regenerators

The flow in the passages of parallel plate rotary heat exchangers or regenerators is laminar and fully developed. Laminar flow theory should allow an accurate prediction of heat and mass transfer and pressure drop. Previously measured values of pressure drop have been 20 percent higher than predicted. Pressure drop is predicted here by considering the passage cross section rectangular and correcting for flow acceleration, property variations, and inlet and outlet pressure drop. The pressure drops measured on a parallel plate sensible heat regenerator were within 3 percent of theory and on a prototype parallel plate total heat regenerator within 4 percent.