HEAT EXCHANGER ANALYSIS

Heat Exchanger is an important Mechanical equiment of Industries. Performance

of the Heat Exchanger depends on the Effectiveness and Overall Heat Transfer
Coefficients. Both are function for flow geometry, entrance temperature and
material. All the heat exchangers can operate in Parallel and Counter-Flow
Conditions. One used in the experiment is Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger in
which one fluid flows in Shell while other in tubes without any direct contact.
Other Types are Tubular and Plate Type Heat Exchangers. In heat exchangers
there is no shaft work, and mechanical-potential and mechanical-kinetic energies
are small in comparison with the other terms in the energy-balance equation. If
Qh is the heat power emitted from hot fluid, while Qc is the heat power absorbed
by cold fluid, and also if constant specific heats are assumed. Then following
Energy Balance Equations can be developed from First Law of Thermodynamics.

Q c =m . c ( T hi T ho )

.
Qh=m c (T co T ci )

1. We need to compare the two types of Heat Exchanger on the basis of our
calculations. Graphs are plotted in the attached Excel File of Cold Flow Rate
against Heat Transfer Coefficietns, Heat Transfer Rates, Effectiveness and
Exit Temperatures.
Counter Flow Design shows a great heat recovery if compared to Parallel
Flow Heat Exchanger. Effectiveness of Heat Exchanger varies from material
to material but it also depends on the type of the flow.
Counter Flow Design shows high effectiveness which is contrary to the
experimental results; a special case. But the trend of effectiveness in
general is increasing with increasing flow rate.
2. Overall Heat Trasnfer Coefficient is calculated from literature and theory
and is compared with the one calculated in experiment. It contains
significant amount of error. Convection Heat Transfer Coefficient is
calculate in order facilitate the calculation of Overall Heat Transfer
Coefficient(U). Nusselt Number , Prandlt Number and Reynolds
Number are calculated to find Heat Transfer Coefficient.
Following formulas are applied:
 To find overall Heat Transfer Coefficient we apply the general formula:

Graphical and Convective Analysis are conducted separately on Parallel

and Counter Flow Heat Exchanger and same pattern is generated.

Effectiveness increases with Cold Fluid Flow Rate

Log Mean Temperature increases with the Cold Flow Rate then
becomes constant
Exit Temperatures decreases with increase in Flow Rate
As Effectiveness , Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient are also a increasing
function of Flow Rate.

Assumptions
Following are the assumptions made in the experiment
1. There is no energy loss to the environment
2. Heat exchanger is at a steady-state
3. There are no phase changes in the fluids
4. Heat capacities of the fluids are independent of temperature
5. Overall heat transfer coefficient is independent of the fluid temperature and
position within the heat exchanger.