A general model has been developed to suggest the transient responses of a plate heat exchanger. The predicted and experimental step responses of the system have been analyzed using the frequency response analysis. The results indicate that the system is represented by a first order lag and dead time. A closed fit between the simulated and experimental data has been obtained. To verify the presented model, temperature control has been applied on the plate heat exchanger using both conventional and fuzzy logic controllers. Results show that the performance of the fuzzy logic controller produces transient responses with less settling time and less oscillatory behavior compared to that under the conventional controller. Comparisons between simulated and experimental responses indicate that the developed model is capable of predicting the transient responses of the plate heat exchanger, satisfactory. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.