Based on the conservation law of energy and on the characteristics of the structure and flow of the primary surface heat exchanger（PSHE），a physical model and corresponding mathematical equations of transient temperature are presented.The research on the response characteristics of the PSHE in different conditions，in which the temperature and mass of hot gas and cold air changed quickly，was carried out.The influence of slab geometrical parameters on the temperature response of the PSHE was found to be in decreasing order：first thickness δ of corrugated heat transfer slabs，second width W and number n，and third shape of corrugated channels.The comparisons showed that the low-mass PSHE has much more advantages in terms of dynamic characteristics than traditional heat exchangers，because the time constant of the PSHE solid wall was much smaller than that of pipe-shell and plate-fin heat exchangers.It is fit for application to the chemical complex that requires frequent change of operation conditions and has limited area and space.