In the present study a virtual prototype of a four-channel plate heat exchanger with flat plates was developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Parallel and series flow arrangements were tested and experimental results were compared to numerical predictions for heat load obtained from the 3D CFD model and also from a 1D plug-flow model. The CFD model represents channels, plates and conduits of the exchanger and takes into account the unequal flow distribution among channels and the flow maldistribution inside the channel. CFD results are in good agreement with experimental data, especially for the series arrangement. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.