Which type of heat exchanger is composed of stacked plates?

The type of heat exchanger composed of stacked plates is the plate type heat exchanger. This design consists of multiple thin plates that are assembled together to create channels for the two fluids to flow through. The large surface area provided by the plates allows for efficient heat transfer between the fluids, making this type highly effective for applications where space is limited and heat transfer efficiency is critical.

Plate type heat exchangers are known for their compactness compared to other designs, such as shell and tube heat exchangers, which utilize a larger cylindrical shell and tubes. In plate type heat exchangers, the arrangement of the plates facilitates high heat transfer coefficients due to the turbulent flow patterns that can be achieved.

Other types, like tube-in-tube and shell and tube, use different configurations such as tubes and shells, which do not involve stacked plates. Air-cooled heat exchangers, while effective for specific applications, typically use fins and tubes for cooling and are not organized in a plate stack. Thus, the distinct stacked plates characterize the plate type heat exchanger, confirming its efficiency and suitability for various industrial processes.