The developments in design theory of Shell-and-Plate Heat Exchangers (SPHE), aiming to enhance the heat recovery and efficiency of energy usage, are discussed. The thermal and hydraulic performance of the unit is estimated using two approaches: by proper selection of plate corrugation pattern and by the adjustment of plates with different height of corrugation in one unit. The optimization problem targeting the minimal heat transfer area under the requirements of proper operating conditions is observed. The optimizing variables include the number of plates with different corrugation geometries in one pass. To estimate the value of the objective function in a space of optimizing variables the mathematical model of SPHE is developed. The possibilities of their application as heat exchangers in preheat train of crude oil distillation unit of the oil refinery are analysed basing on obtained design parameters with the effect of flow movement arrangement in the unit and its influence on shear stress and fouling formation. The comparison with another Compabloc type welded PHE is discussed.
