Abstract: The invention is directed to a heat exchanger with optimal performance and a method of optimizing the performance of a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a first manifold, a second manifold and tubes extending therebetween. The tubes have at least one opening which extends through the entire length of the tubes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a heat exchanger with optimal performance and a method of optimizing the performance of a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a first manifold, a second manifold and tubes extending therebetween. The tubes have at least one opening which extends through the entire length of the tubes.

Abstract: A stacked plate heat exchanger has flow passages for three different fluids formed between the plates. Passages for the third fluid are adjacent to both sides of each passage for the first fluid and each passage for the second fluid. In a preferred embodiment the passages are formed using only two plate surface configurations, and proper sealing of adjacent plates at the ports forming the inlet and outlet conduits for the three fluids is achieved by configuring the areas around the ports to define a system of annular planar platforms. For improved heat transfer when the exchanger is mounted in the horizontal position, baffles may be formed in the passages for the first and second fluids to control and direct the flow of those fluids.