INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, the conduction in an insulated long slender brass bar like the one
in Figure 1 needed to be investigated. Assumed that the bar is of length L, a uniform hot
temperature Th is imposed on one end, and a cold temperature Tc is imposed on the other.
Also assumed, because the bar is insulated in the peripheral direction that all the heat flows
in the axial direction due to an imposed temperature differential along the bar.

Figure 1:Schematic of a Long Cylinder Insulated Bar

If a plane wall of thickness (x) and area (A) and thermal conductivity (k) supports a
temperature difference (T) then the heat transfer rate by conduction is given by the
equation:
=kA

Figure 2: Conduction Process

The thermal conductivity k varies between different mate rials and can be a function of
temperature, but it can be treated as a constant over small temperature ranges. Because of
the enhancement of heat transfer by free electrons, thermal conductivity is analogous to
electrical conductivity and as a result, metals that are good conductors of electricity are also
good conductors of heat.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the effect of flow rate variation on the performance characteristic of a

counter-flow and parallel-flow concentric tube heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

The concentric tube heat exchanger was designed in order to study the process of
heat transfer between two fluids through a solid partition. It was designed for a counter flow
arrangement and the parallel mean temperature difference method of analysis was adopted.
Water was used as fluid for the experiment. The temperature of the hot and cold water
supplied to the equipment were 60C, respectively. The result of the experiment were
tabulated and a graph of the mean temperature was drawn. The research takes into account
different type of heat exchangers.

THEORY
A heat exchanger is a piece of process equipment in which heat exchange takes place
between two fluids that enter and exit at different temperatures. The primary design objective
of the equipment may be either to remove heat from a hot fluid or to add heat to a cold fluid.
Depending upon the relative direction of fluid motion, shell-and-tube heat exchangers are
classified as parallel flow, counter flow, cross flow. In parallel flow, the hot and cold fluids flow
in the same direction and therefore enter the exchanger on the same end and exit the
exchanger on the same end. In counter flow, the two fluids flow in opposite directions and
thus enter the exchanger and exit the exchanger from opposite ends. Cross flow heat
exchangers will not be analysed as a part of this laboratory experiment.

Figure 1 - Diagram of Parallel and Counter Flow Configurations

PROCEDURE

1. The experiment of concentric tube heat exchange is been briefed and constructed by
the lecture
2. We run the different operation which is counter-flow heat exchanger operation and
followed to parallel-flow heat exchanger operation
3. Firstly, the hot water inlet temperature was been set up to 60C with the decade
switch
4. Next,the cold water volumetric flow rate (Vc) was set to run at constant 2000
cm3/min and the hot fluid volumetric flow rate (Vh) to 1000 cm3/min
5. The pump was switch on to make fluid flow on this experiment
6. All data were recorded for those temperature
7. Those temperature were labelled to hot water inlet (Tt1), hot water middle (Tt2), hot
water outlet (Tt3), cold water inlet (Tt4), cold water middle (Tt5) and cold water outlet
(Tt6)
8. The experiment was repeated with hot fluid volumetric flow rate increased into the
2000cm3/min until 4000 cm3/min
9. After that, the pump was stopped and changed the experiment into parallel-flow heat
exchanger operation.
10. The flow of water on the operation was controlled by used valve
11. All data also were recorded for those temperature, but have a different value of the
cold water inlet (Tt6) and cold water outlet (Tt4)
12. The volumetric flow rates also was set up from 1000cm3/min to 4000cm3/min
13. Then, used the data that recorded to calculate the heat exchanger performance
factors
14. Lastly, the result was compared the effect of changed the volumetric flow rate of the
hot fluid on each of these heat exchanger performance factors

APPARATUS

Tube heat exchange machine

Digital value of
temperature
readings

Controller of
temperature
readings
of Tt1,
Valve
to control
Tt2,
tt3,
Tt4,
Tt5
the volumetric
and
Tt6
flow rates

Meter of hot fluid

volumetric flow
rate

MOHAMD FAREEZ BIN HASLIM

Screen of hot water

inlet temperature at
60C
Button switch for
the pump

Control valve to
control flow of the
fluid

Meter of cold water

volumetric flow rate
at a constant 2000
cm3/min

2014684346

DISCUSSION
Heat exchangers are devices that facilitate the exchange of heat between two
fluids that are different temperatures while keeping them from mixing with each
other.
In our experiment, we used the simplest type of heat exchanger that is
consisting of two concentric pipes of different diameter called the double pipe
heat exchanger. Two types of flow arrangement are possible in a double pipe
heat exchanger:
1) Parallel flow; both the hot and cold fluids enter the heat exchanger at
the same end and move in the same direction.
2) Counter flow; the hot and cold fluids enter the heat exchanger at
opposite ends and flow in opposite direction.
The main point of the experiment is to discuss the effect of volumetric flow rate
the hot fluid on each of these heat exchanger performance factors. In parallel
flow as we can see in the table below, the Tc, in and Tc, out are different in

theoretical value. In theoretical, the Tc, in must be more high in

temperature than the Tc, out.
Vh(cm3/mi Th, in

Th, mid

Th, out

Tc, in

Tc, mid

Tc, out

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

1,000

59.6

52.1

51.3

31.2

34.2

35.3

2,000

59.8

54.0

52.0

31.1

32.3

37.0

3,000

59.6

55.6

53.6

30.9

36.5

44.8

4,000

59.6

56.1

55.5

31.0

36.2

47.7

n)

This can be improved in the graph,

So, it can be effect the flow rate of the flow. The efficiency also maybe affect as
the value of the result taken is different. To get the efficiency, there is a
calculation that has been calculated. As we can see in the graph of the efficiency
versus flow rate in below, the experiment that we conducted started at 1000
until 4000 cm/min. At the 1000 we got the efficiency of 24%. The efficiency drop
from 24 to 18%. These may due from the calculation occur that involved the
power emitted and power absorbed along the pipes. The efficiency increases
when the flow rate is increase as shown.

The experiment continues with the counter flow or cross flow. As we can see the
experimental value may be same as the theoretical value. This can be proved in
the graph as below,

The inlet hot temperature is greater than the outlet hot temperature and the
inlet cold temperature is lower than the outlet cold temperature. So we can say
that the counter flow experiment is a success.

Vh(cm3/mi Th, in

Th, mid

Th, out

Tc, in

Tc, mid

Tc, out

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

1,000

58.1

47.3

46.5

34.4

28.4

37.7

2,000

59.6

54.1

50.4

32.2

31.3

40.8

3,000

59.2

55.5

53.0

38.0

34.5

42.6

4,000

59.5

56.6

55.0

34.0

35.8

50.3

n)

When the experiment is started, the efficiency is in high efficiency that is in 58%.
But the efficiency is drop to 23% that we can say it in high speed dropping. Then
the efficiency is decreases but at 4000 cm/min the efficiency start to increases
at 44%. This also may be due to the power emitted and power absorbed that we
calculated.

Errors may affect the value of the performance may causes by the machine,
parallax error and surrounding error. Errors that caused by machine may of the
pump. The process does not go smoothly because they have technical problem.
So to overcome this problem, proper maintenance must be conduct before the
experiment started. Parallax error in this experiments are when control the
volume of flow rate of the system. The volume are not constant, and by using
manual of human there must be error when maintain the volume flow rate. The
heat losses to surroundings also may occur in this experiments, this because this
process naturally conduct in this system. This rarely can be avoided because the
lack of sources to maintain it.

MOHAMD FAREEZ BIN HASLIM

2014684346

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, the objective of the experiments is to compare the effects of
flow rate to the system performance. All the data collected from the experiments
has been proved practically. The relationship of these parameters has been
understood and all the error that may affect the experiments has been analyzed
and the solution of the error has been conducted to improve.

MUHAMMAD

ASRAF

BIN

AZMI

2014672104
DISCUSSION
Although ordinary heat exchanger may be extremely different in design and construction
such as in single phase or two phase type, however their modes of operation and
effectiveness is largely determined by the direction of the fluid flow within the exchanger. For
this experiment, the method that been used is counter flow and parallel flow in order to
determine the effect of the volumetric flow rate of the hot fluid for the performance
characteristics. The table below shows the result for these two flow:
Parallel Flow Result:

Vh

Th, in

Th, mid

Th, out

Tc, in

Tc, mid

Tc, out

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

1,000

59.6

52.1

51.3

31.2

34.2

35.3

2,000

59.8

54.0

52.0

31.1

32.3

37.0

3,000

59.6

55.6

53.6

30.9

36.5

44.8

4,000

59.6

56.1

55.5

31.0

36.2

47.7

(cm3/min)

T his experiment is conducted with two parts of separated conditions, which

are by var ying the flow rates at constant temperature and by var ying the
temperatures at constant flow rate. For the parallel flow, the power absorbed
is increasing from -136.37W until -555.5W which means that power absorbed
more as increase the volumetric flow rate. The power emitted also increasing
due to the volumetric flow rate factor and the highest power emitted for the
parallel at V h = 3000 cm 3 /min is 1232.39W before it slightly goes down.
T hese also affect the result of the power lost and the overall heat transfer
coefficient which is increasing too.The exit temperature in parallel of the hot
fluid must be higherthan the entrance temperature of the cold fluid, but it does not
necessarily need to be higher thanthe exit temperature of the cold fluid.This shows that more
heat being transferred by hot water to be absorbed by cold water. This is also supported by
the data, even though in this case the exit temperature of the hot fluid is still hotter than the
exit temperature of the cold fluid.
Then, we change the parallel flow heat exchanger to the counter flow heat exchanger. The
table below shows the values of THin, THout, THmid, TCmid, TCin, and TCout.

Vh

Th, in

Th, mid

Th, out

Tc, in

Tc, mid

Tc, out

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

(oC)

1,000

58.1

47.3

46.5

34.4

28.4

37.7

2,000

59.6

54.1

50.4

32.2

31.3

40.8

3,000

59.2

55.5

53.0

38.0

34.5

42.6

4,000

59.5

56.6

55.0

34.0

35.8

50.3

(cm3/min)

For the counter flow heat exchanger, the value is greater and higher than parallel as the
movement of the hot fluid and cold fluidis separated and acounter flow heat exchanger has
the hot fluid entering at one end of the heat exchanger flow path and the cold fluid entering
at the other end of the flow path. Counter flow is the most common type of liquid-liquid heat
exchanger, because it is the most efficient. The power lost, the power emitted, the efficiency
and overall heat transfer coefficient is greater and increasing than the parallel flow. The
maximum value for the power emitted in counter is 1273.47W at V h = 3000cm3/min. Thus,
the percentage error for the power emitted is 3.23%. This shows that more heat being
transferred by hot water to be absorbed by cold water.the exit temperatureof the cold fluid
been hotter than the exit temperature of the hot fluid, the effectiveness would have been
even higher, reflecting common data in many textbooks.
The design of a parallel flow heat exchanger is advantageous when two fluids are required
to be brought to nearly the same temperature. However, there are some special cases
where a cocurrent exchanger design might still be adopted. Some of these are more uniform
temperature differences between two fluids is minimized the thermal stress throughout the
exchanger, the outlet temperature of cold fluids can approach the highest temperature of the
high fluid (the inlet temperature) and lastly, the more uniform temperature differences
produce a more uniform rate of heat transfer throughout the heat exchanger. There is slightly
error that happen in this experiment which is human error when take reading of the
exchanger. The volumetric flow sometimes dropping slightly and we need to adjust at certain
level to make sure the level of the volumetric is correct.
MUHAMMAD
2014672104
CONCLUSION

ASRAF

BIN

AZMI

As the conclusion, this experiment was successfully done and all the objectives is achieved.
The power emitted and power absorbed are increased when we compared the effect of
changing the volumetric flow rate of the hot fluid. Besides, the power lost that we get shows
decreasing value unless the last reading give some increased value and the overall heat
transfer coefficient will increase when the volumetric flow rate of the hot fluid is increase.
Lastly, the heat transfer coefficient, the power emitted and power absorbed are influenced by
the changing of volumetric flow rate of the hot fluid.
In practical application, the counter flow configuration is preferred for its highereffectiveness.
This experiment did show that this configuration does in fact have a higher effectiveness
than the parallel flow configuration. Additionally, the counter flow configuration is also
capable of have a cold fluid exit temperature that is higher than the hot fluid exit
temperature. This was not shown experimentally, however from the data collected it is clear
that the flow rates were too high to achieve this desired result. If the experiment were
repeated with lower flow rates, it would be possible to demonstrate a situation where the exit
temperature of the cold fluid is hotter than the exit temperature of the hot fluid.

MUHAMAD FIRDAUS BIN HIPUL

2014258044

DISCUSSION
Based on our experiment of heat exchanger, the different design of system was
operate which is counter-flow and parallel flow. A counter-flow heat exchanger is
one direction of the flow of one of the working fluids is opposite to the direction

to the flow of the other fluid. While, a parallel flow exchanger is the both fluids
flow in the same direction. Figure below represents the direction of the fluid flow
in the parallel and counter-flow exchanger.

The heat exchanger performance can be calculated by using the data that was
recorded. In the counter-flow heat exchanger, the maximum efficiency is 58%.
This happen when the volumetric flow rates at 1000 cm 3/min. other, the power
lost be a small value than the other condition when the volumetric flow rate at
1000 cm3/min. the logarithmic mean temperature difference is 15.89 C also the
overall heat transfer coefficient (U) is -431.08 W/(m 2.oC). While, when the
volumetric flow rate at 4000 cm3/min, the power lost be the higher than others
which is 1774.64 Watt. The relationship of the volumetric flow rates and heat
exchanger is decreasing proportional. The changing of the volumetric flow rate
will affected the efficiency of the heat exchanger. The advantage over the
parallel flow design is the more uniform temperature difference between the two
fluids minimizes the thermal stresses throughout the exchanger. Other
advantage is the more uniform temperature difference produces a more uniform
rate of heat transfer throughout the heat exchanger. Besides that, the outlet
temperature of cold fluid can approach the highest temperature of the hot fluid
(the inlet temperature).

Counter-flow heat exchanger

In parallel flow exchanger, when the volumetric flow rate at 4000 cm 3/min and
the efficiency will be at the higher performance that is 50%. Although, it on the
higher efficiency but the power lost and the power emitted also be the one of the
higher value such as 1674.97 Watt and 1119.47 Watt respectively. Then, the
overall heat transfer coefficient (U) is -518.19 W/(m 2.oC) and logarithmic mean
temperature difference is 16 C. For the parallel flow heat exchanger, we can
relate that the higher of volumetric flow rate on the system than higher of the
efficiency of performance. The design of a parallel flow heat exchanger is
advantageous when two fluids are required to be a brought to nearly the same
temperature.

MUHAMAD FIRDAUS BIN HIPUL

2014258044

CONCLUSION
In this lab we were conduct two design of system which is counter-flow and
parallel flow heat exchanger. Based on the experiment, we can determine the
effect of flow rate variation on the performance characteristics of a counter-flow
and parallel flow heat exchanger. In the counter-flow heat exchanger, the higher
efficiency was 58% when the volumetric flow rate at the 1000 cm 3/min. if the
volumetric was changed to the 4000 cm 3/min, the efficiency be a less
performance that is 44%. The result was different for the parallel flow design. In
the parallel flow, the volumetric flow rate will affected the efficiency of the
system. This is because when the volumetric flow rate is increase than the
efficiency or performance of the system also increases. The conclusion, whether
counter-flow or parallel flow, both system have own advantages and
disadvantages depends on the usage. For the future, as the engineer operate the
design based on the requirement.

REFERENCE
1. Article (2015), Engineers Edge, Retrieved October 23, 2015, from

http://www.engineerisedge.com

MOHAMAD IKHWAN BIN SAMER

2014630126

DISCUSSION
Based on the objective of the experiment which is to demonstrate the effect of flow rate
variation on the performance characteristic of a counter flow and parallel flow in the
concentric tube heat exchanger. The variation of the flow rate can affect the performance
characteristic in tube heat exchanger. The experiment involves two types of flow in the
concentric tube heat exchanger which is counter flow and parallel flow. The table below show
the performance characteristic on the counter flow:
Vh(cm3/
min)

Power
Emitte
d (W)

Power
Power
Absorbe Lost
d
(W)
(W)

Efficienc
y

DT1

D T2

(oC) (oC)

D Tm

(oC)

W/
(m2.oC)

( )
(%)

1,000

568.3
8

-136.37

704.75

24

28.
4

16

21.6

-94.23

2,000

1067.
96

-196.25

1264.2
1

18

28.
7

15

21.1

138.82

3,000

1232.
39

-462.36

1694.7
5

38

28.
7

8.8

16.8

470.77

4,000

1119.
47

-555.5

1674.9
7

50

28.
6

7.8

16.0

518.19

For the lowest flow rate of 1000

/min it has the highest efficiency 58% for power transfer

as the Power Emitted is 794.36 W and Power Absorbed is -458.94 W which equate to a
Power Loss of 1253.3 W . The logarithmic mean temperature difference is 15.89C and the
overall heat transfer coefficient is -431.08W/(

C). For the highest flow rate is 4000

/min it hasan efficiency 44% for power transfer as the Power Emitted is 1232.45 W and
Power Absorbed is -542.19 W which equate to a Power loss of 1774.64 W. The logarithmic
mean temperature difference is 14.29C and the overall heat transfer coefficient is -566.3 W/(
C). It can be said that when the flow rate increasing, the performance characteristic value
become bigger but the efficiency become lower.

For the parallel flow the table below show the performance characteristic data:
Vh(cm3/
min)

Power
Emitte
d (W)

Power
Power
Absorbe Lost
d
(W)
(W)

Efficienc
y

DT1

D T2

(oC) (oC)

D Tm

(oC)

W/
(m2.oC)

( )
(%)

1,000

568.3
8

-136.37

704.75

24

28.
4

16

21.6

-94.23

2,000

1067.
96

-196.25

1264.2
1

18

28.
7

15

21.1

138.82

3,000

1232.
39

-462.36

1694.7
5

38

28.
7

8.8

16.8

470.77

4,000

1119.
47

-555.5

1674.9
7

50

28.
6

7.8

16.0

518.19

For the lowest flow rate of 1000

/min it an efficiency 24% for power transfer as the

Power Emitted is 568.38 W and Power Absorbed is -136.37 W which equate to a Power Loss
of 704.75 W . The logarithmic mean temperature difference is 21.6C and the overall heat
transfer coefficient is -94.23 W/(

C). For the highest flow rate is 4000

/min it has the

highest efficiency 50% for power transfer as the Power Emitted is 1119.47 W and Power
Absorbed is -555.5 W which equate to a Power loss of 1674.97 W. The logarithmic mean
temperature difference is 16.0C and the overall heat transfer coefficient is -518.19 W/(
C). It can be said that when the flow rate increasing, the performance characteristic value
become bigger including its efficiency.

MOHAMAD IKHWAN BIN SAMER

2014630126

CONCLUSION
Based on the objective of the experiment which is to demonstrate the effect of flow rate
variation on the performance characteristic of a counter flow and parallel flow in the
concentric tube heat exchanger. The objective of the experiment is achieved as the
performance characteristic is tabulated in the result table. As the experiment were tested on
two different flow which was a counter flow and parallel flow by using a variation of flow
rate and for both flow it can be said that when the flow rate increase the value of performance
characteristic become bigger but it differ on it efficiency when its on the counter flow the
efficiency decreasing and when its on parallel flow the efficiency increasing.

MohdKhairuddin b CheLong (2013834608)

Discussion

In this experiment, we have learnt about the flow arrangement of heat exchanger to
study about the effect of flow rate variation on the performance characteristics in
parallel flow and counter flow. For the parallel flow, we set the flow of hot and cold
fluids in same flow direction at the start and leave same at the end. As a result, the
fluid will flow in parallel in heat exchanger. While for the counter flow the hot and cold
fluids start and ending with opposite direction.
For both experiment, we first set the heater to 60C, however due to heat loss and
flow rate there are slightly different from each data. In both experiment, the exit
temperature must be higher than the exit temperature of the cold fluid and lesser
than the temperature of the hot fluid. This can be proven by the data taken in the
table. This is because of the reaction between hot and cold fluid. The heat is
transferred to the cold fluid and the surrounding. That is why the exit temperature for
cold fluid is higher than the entrance temperature. The energy removed from the hot
fluid is the energy added to the cold fluid according to the First Law of
Thermodynamics. Also, the higher the flow rate of a fluid, the lower the temperature
changes in the fluid will be.
Based on the result we obtained from this experiment, we can calculate the power
emitted and power absorbed from the formula given. From the calculation, the higher
the volumetric flow rate, the higher the power emitted and absorbed. However, in the
counter flow the value for power absorbed for 2000 and 3000cm^3/min are lower
compare to 1000 cm^3/min. then the value is increased when volumetric flow rate is
increased to 4000 cm^3/min. For parallel flow, the values for power emitted and
absorbed increased as the volumetric flow rate keep increased.
For both experiment, we first set the heater to 60C, however due to heat loss and
flow rate there are slightly different from each data. In both experiment, the exit
temperature must be higher than the exit temperature of the cold fluid and lesser
than the temperature of the hot fluid. This can be proven by the data taken in the
table. This is because of the reaction between hot and cold fluid. The heat is

transferred to the cold fluid and the surrounding. That is why the exit temperature for
cold fluid is higher than the entrance temperature. The energy removed from the hot
fluid is the energy added to the cold fluid according to the First Law of
Thermodynamics. Also, the higher the flow rate of a fluid, the lower the temperature
changes in the fluid will be.

MohdKhairuddin b CheLong (2013834608)

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the experiment was successfully conducted but not fully acceptable when
it comes to calculation. We are able to determine the effect of flow rate variation on the
performance characteristics of parallel flow and counter flow of heat exchanger. The increasing of
volume metric will increase the value of power absorbed and power emitted. Last but not least, the
increasing value of volumetric flow rate also will affect the overall heat transfer coefficient. The heat
exchanger apparatus follows the basic laws of thermodynamics and this can be shown by the
result from conducting the experiment. In parallel flow configuration, the exit temperature of the hot
fluid is always hotter than the exit temperature of the cold fluid. This is because heat is not
spontaneously transfer from a hotter body to a colder body. Plus, the flow rate increase, the exit
temperature is also increased because it need time to transfer heat between the two fluids.

REFERENCE

1. SadikKaka and Hongtan Liu (2002). Heat Exchangers: Selection, Rating and
Thermal Design (2nd ed.). CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0902-6.
2. Perry, Robert H. and Green, Don W. (1984). Perry's Chemical Engineers'
Handbook(6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049479-7.