ENGR 135: Heat Transfer - Lab #6

Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger

Lab Section 02L

Experiment Date: 26 November 2018

Submitted: 3 December 2018

By Sebastian Edinger
Other group members: Experiment preformed as a class
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Abstract
The behavior of concentric tube heat exchangers operating in parallel and counter flow
configurations was observed. Hot and cold-water lines were run to the heat exchanger. A
manifold distributed water to the exterior and interior pipes respectively. Heat then flowed
through the inner pipe either from the cold water to the hot water or vice versa. The direction of
the heat flow depends on whether the hot water flowed through the inner or outer pipe. The
amount of energy transferred between the two water lines was measured by noting the
temperature difference of a water line before and after it entered a tube. The amount of energy
transferred was then used to find the overall heat transfer coefficient. The maximum possible
heat transfer rate for an idealized infinite length heat exchanger was found. This value was then
used to find the effectiveness and the number of transfer units (NTU) of a heat exchanger. The
most effective heat exchanger arrangement was the counterflow heat exchanger with a hot
interior.
There was a considerable amount of error in this experiment. It is noteworthy that though
the amount of energy transferred to the cold water and transferred from the hot water was usually
in the same order of magnitude, there was a significant difference between these two values in
every trial of the experiment. As mentioned in the theory section., there were many theoretical
assumptions underlying the calculations that may have contributed to discrepancies in the
different numbers calculated. However, these differences should have been insignificant. Poor
performance of the experiment such as inaccurate measurements and not waiting for steady state
to be fully reached may have contributed to this significant error.
The most effective heat exchanger arrangement was the counterflow heat exchanger with
a hot interior. Poor performance of the experiment such as inaccurate measurements and taking
temperatures before steady state was fully reached was likely the main source of error. If a
longer heat exchanger were to be used, any error associated with the manifolds at the inlet and
outlet of the heat exchanger would be less significant. Better insulation of the heat exchanger and
climate control of the room are also recommended.

Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to observe the behavior of concentric tube heat
exchangers operating in parallel and counter flow configurations. Hot and cold water lines are
run to the heat exchanger. A manifold the distributes water to the exterior and interior pipes
respectively. Heat then flows through the inner pipe either from the cold water to the hot water or
vice versa. The direction of the heat flow depends on whether the hot water flows through the
inner or outer pipe. The amount of energy transferred between the two water lines can be
measured by noting the temperature difference of a water line before and after it enters a tube.
The amount of energy transferred can then be used to find the overall heat transfer coefficient.
The maximum possible heat transfer rate for an idealized infinite length heat exchanger can be
found. This value can be used to find the effectiveness and the number of transfer units (NTU) of
a heat exchanger. Both aforementioned values are indicators of how effective a heat exchanger
is.
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Lab Theory & Procedures:

Theory
In a heat exchanger, the overall heat transfer coefficient depends on wall conduction and
fluid convection. It is somewhat difficult to obtain experimentally. Deposits and chemical
reactions can affect the operation of a heat exchanger by changing the wall properties. In this
experiment, the following governing equation is used to find the overall heat transfer coefficient
(U):
𝑞 = 𝑈𝐴𝛥𝑇𝑙𝑚 (eqn. 1)
where A is the surface area of contact between the hot and cold tubes, in this case it is the surface
area of the inner tube. This will be the surface area of a cylinder not including the ends.

2
𝜋𝑑 2
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 =
4
ΔTlm is the log mean temperature difference (LMTD). ΔTlm can be found using the inlet and
outlet temperatures of both fluids:
𝛥𝑇2 − 𝛥𝑇1 𝛥𝑇1 − 𝛥𝑇2
Δ𝑇𝑙𝑚 = =
𝛥𝑇2 𝛥𝑇
ln⁡(𝛥𝑇 ) ln⁡(𝛥𝑇1 )
1 2

The following table defines ΔT1 and ΔT2 for parallel and counterflow configurations:
Parallel-flow configuration ∆𝑇1 = 𝑇ℎ,1 − 𝑇𝑐,1 = 𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑖
∆𝑇2 = 𝑇ℎ,2 − 𝑇𝑐,2 = 𝑇ℎ,𝑜 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑜
Counter-flow configuration ∆𝑇1 = 𝑇ℎ,1 − 𝑇𝑐,1 = 𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑜
∆𝑇2 = 𝑇ℎ,2 − 𝑇𝑐,2 = 𝑇ℎ,𝑜 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑖
Inlet of hot tube 𝑇ℎ,𝑖
Outlet of hot tube 𝑇ℎ,𝑜
Inlet of cold tube 𝑇𝑐,𝑖
Outlet of cold tube 𝑇𝑐,𝑜
B bn
The overall heat transfer coefficient can be found if q, the heat transfer rate is known.
The energy change Q of a substance of mass m, with specific heat cp undergoing temperature
difference ΔT is:
𝑄 = 𝑚𝑐𝛥𝑇⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡[𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦]
If the mass is substituted with the mass flow rate, the equation now yields the heat transfer rate.
𝑞 = 𝑚̇𝑐𝛥𝑇⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡[𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟]
q can be measured using the inlet and outlet temperatures and the mass flow rate of the working
fluid. Mass flow rate can be calculated from the inlet volumetric flow rate and the density of
 4

water at the inlet temperature. The inlet temperature is used because the volumetric flow rate is
measured at the inlet.
𝑘𝑔 𝑚3 𝑘𝑔
̇
𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑉 ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡[ 3 ∗ ] = [ ⁄𝑠]
𝑚 𝑠

q is the same in each of the following equations, as well equation 1.

For the hot fluid
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝐽
𝑞 = 𝑚̇ℎ 𝑐𝑝,ℎ (𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇ℎ,𝑜 )⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡[ ∗ ∗ ˚𝐾]
𝑠 𝑘𝑔 ∗ ˚𝐾
For the cold fluid
𝑞 = 𝑚̇𝑐 𝑐𝑝,𝑐 (𝑇𝑐,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑜 )⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡[𝑘𝑊]
The specific heat of water may have change as a result of temperature variations as the water
travelled through the tube. However, these variations in the specific heat will be considered
insignificant A such the specific heat of water at the inlet will be used in the calculations.

The energy balances and resulting analysis leading to equation one is based off the following
assumptions:
1. The heat exchanger is insulted from its surroundings, meaning that the only heat
exchange is between the hot and cold fluids.
2. Axial conduction along the tubes is insignificant
3. Potential and kinetic energy changes are insignificant
4. The fluid specific heats are constant
5. The overall heat transfer coefficient is constant
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Figure 2: Temperature distributions for a parallel flow heat exchanger (top) and a
counterflow heat exchanger (bottom)
 6

Heat Exchanger Analysis: The Effectiveness-NTU Method

The log mean temperature difference (LMTD) method of heat changer analysis is simple
to use when the fluid inlet and outlet temperatures are known or easily determined from energy
balance equations. The log mean temperature difference can then be found. However, if only
inlet temperatures are known, using LMTD requires an iterative procedure. Instead, an
alternative method the effectiveness-NTU.
The effectiveness of a heat exchanger can be determined using the maximum possible
heat transfer rate, qmax. This is the heat transfer rate that could theoretically be achieved in a
counterflow heat exchanger of infinite length. One of the fluids would experience the maximum
possible temperature difference, Th,i – Tc,i. over the length of the heat exchanger. An infinite
length heat exchanger is analogous to leaving a hot item in a cold room for an infinite amount of
time. By the time “infinite time” is reached, the hot item will be at the same temperature as the
cold room. By the time a fluid travels the infinite length of the heat exchanger, the one fluid will
have reached the temperature of the other fluid.
Consider a situation in which the heat capacity rate of the hot fluid is greater than the heat
capacity rate of the cold fluid. CC<CH. The heat capacity rate is defined by the product of the
mass flow rate and the specific heat of the fluid:
𝐶 ≡ 𝑚̇𝑐𝑝
If the cold fluid has a lower heat capacity rate, it will experience the larger temperature range.
This is because a low heat capacity rate means that less power is needed to raise the temperature
of the fluid. Since the length is infinite, the cold fluid will reach the temperature of the hot fluid.
(Tc,o=Tc,i).
𝐶𝑐 < 𝐶ℎ :⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐶𝑐 (𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑖 )
Likewise, when the hot fluid has the lower heat capacity rate, the hot fluid will experience the
larger temperature change. The energy exchanged between the two fluid is equal. However due
to different mass flow rates or chemical properties of the fluid, one fluid has its temperature
affected more.
𝐶ℎ < 𝐶𝑐 :⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐶ℎ (𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑖 )
The general form of these equations uses Cmin to represent the minimum heat capacity rate.
⁡𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑖 )
The effectiveness, ε is defined as the ration of actual heat transfer rate for a heat exchanger to the
maximum possible heat transfer rate:
𝑞
𝜀=
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥
If the effectiveness and hot and cold inlet temperatures are known, the heat transfer rate can be
found:
𝑞 = 𝜀𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑇ℎ,𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐,𝑖 )
 7

For any heat exchanger, effectiveness is a function of the number of transfer unts NTU and the
ratio of Cmin to Cmax. The number of transfer units (NTU) is a dimensionless parameter that is
widely used for heat exchanger analysis, defined by
𝑈𝐴
𝑁𝑇𝑈 ≡
𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛
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Equipment:
The main piece of equipment used was an insulated concentric heat exchanger. The
concentric heat exchanger consists of a pair of concentric copper tubes. Hot or cold fluids can
then flow parallel or counter to each other. Hot and cold baths supply hot and cold water to the
heat exchanger. Two flow meters were used to measure the flow of the hot and cold fluids. Four
thermocouples were used to measure the inlet and outlet temperatures of both fluids as they
entered and exited the heat exchangers. A tape measure and calipers were used to measure the
dimensions of the heat exchanger.

Figure 1: Partial view of heat exchanger

mm cm
Tube Length 1470 1.47
Inner Diameter 14.4 0.0144
Outer Diameter 15.9 0.0159

Contact Area 0.006927 mm2

Procedure:
1. The water baths provided fixed flow rates to each system. The volumetric flow rate was
controlled and measured and controlled with flow meter valves.
2. The water hoses were checked to determine whether the system is connected in
concurrent or counter-concurrent flow. The inlet and outlet flows were located for hot and cold
water.
3. The water baths were started, and the flow rates were set.
4. Once the temperatures reached steady state, the hot and cold fluid temperatures were
taken at the inlets and outlets.
5. The conditions were changed to setup the counter-current flow. Steady state was reached
and the temperatures were recorded.
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Results and Discussion

Parallel Flow
Hot Interior
V̇c V̇h Th,i Th,o Tc,i Tc,o ∆T1 ∆T2 ΔTlm
[gal/hr] [gal/hr] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C]
16 16 28 24 16 16 12 8 9.87
7 7 29 23 16 18 11 5 7.61
7 16 29 26 16 20 9 6 7.40
16 7 30 24 15.3 17 13 7 9.69

Material Properties at Inlet

Tc,i ρ cp
[C] [kg/m3] [kJ/(kg*K)]
14 999.2 4.19
17.5 998.7 4.19
18 998.6 4.19
14.7 999.1 4.19
Th,i ρ cp
29.9 995.7 4.18
29.7 995.7 4.18
30 995.6 4.18
29.6 995.8 4.18

V̇c V̇h ṁc ṁh q_cold q_hot U

[m^3/s] [m^3/s] [kg/s] [kg/s] [watts] [watts] [W/(m^2*K)]
1.68E-05 1.68E-05 0.0168 0.0168 0.0 280.2 4101
7.36E-06 7.36E-06 0.0074 0.0073 61.6 183.8 3488
7.36E-06 1.68E-05 0.0074 0.0168 123.2 210.1 4099
1.68E-05 7.36E-06 0.0168 0.0073 119.7 183.8 2737

C_c C_h Q_max ε NTU

[J/(k*s)] [J/(k*s)] [watts] [1] [1]
70.4 70.1 840.7 70.4 0.405
30.8 30.6 398.3 30.8 0.788
30.8 70.0 400.5 30.8 0.922
70.4 30.6 450.3 70.4 0.619
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Cold Interior
V̇c V̇h Th,i Th,o Tc,i Tc,o ∆T1 ∆T2 ΔTlm
[gal/hr] [gal/hr] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C]
16 16 29.9 26.1 14 16.5 16 16 29.9
7 7 29.7 24 17.5 19 7 7 29.7
7 16 30 26.8 18 20 7 16 30
16 7 29.9 29.6 14.7 15.7 16 7 29.9

Material Properties at Inlet

Tc,i ρ cp
[C] [kg/m3] [kJ/(kg*K)]
14 999.2 4.19
17.5 998.7 4.19
18 998.6 4.19
14.7 999.1 4.19
Th,i ρ cp
29.9 995.7 4.18
29.7 995.7 4.18
30 995.6 4.18
29.6 995.8 4.18

V̇c V̇h ṁc ṁh q_cold q_hot U

[m^3/s] [m^3/s] [kg/s] [kg/s] [watts] [watts] [W/(m^2*K)]
1.68E-05 1.68E-05 0.0168 0.0168 176.090 266.083 3076
7.36E-06 7.36E-06 0.0074 0.0073 46.201 174.617 3123
7.36E-06 1.68E-05 0.0074 0.0167 61.595 224.048 3533
1.68E-05 7.36E-06 0.0168 0.0073 70.429 9.191 699

C_c C_h Q_max ε NTU

[J/(k*s)] [J/(k*s)] [watts] [1] [1]
70.4 70.0 1113.3 0.239 0.304
30.8 30.6 373.7 0.467 0.706
30.8 70.0 840.2 0.267 0.795
70.4 30.6 465.7 0.151 0.158
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Counter Flow
Hot Interior
V̇c V̇h Th,i Th,o Tc,i Tc,o ∆T1 ∆T2 ΔTlm
[gal/hr] [gal/hr] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C]
16 16 31.4 24.3 10.9 16.1 15.3 8.2 11.38
7 7 31.4 25 11.8 18.7 12.7 6.3 9.13
7 16 31.4 24.1 12 19.9 11.5 4.2 7.25
16 7 31.3 24.9 11 17.2 14.1 7.7 10.58

Material Properties at Inlet

Tc,i ρ cp
[C] [kg/m3] [kJ/(kg*K)]
10.9 999.6 4.19
11.8 999.5 4.19
12 999.5 4.19
11 999.6 4.19
Th,i ρ cp
31.4 995.3 4.18
31.4 995.3 4.18
31.4 995.3 4.18
31.3 995.3 4.18

V̇c V̇h ṁc ṁh q_cold q_hot U

[m^3/s] [m^3/s] [kg/s] [kg/s] [watts] [watts] [W/(m2*K)]
1.68E-05 1.68E-05 0.0168 0.0167 366.4 497.0 6302
7.36E-06 7.36E-06 0.0074 0.0073 212.7 196.0 3099
7.36E-06 1.68E-05 0.0074 0.0167 243.5 511.0 4851
1.68E-05 7.36E-06 0.0168 0.0073 436.9 196.0 2674

C_c C_h Q_max ε NTU

[J/(k*s)] [J/(k*s)] [watts] [1] [1]
70.5 70.0 1434.9 0.346 0.624
30.8 30.6 600.2 0.327 0.701
30.8 70.0 598.0 0.854 1.090
70.5 30.6 621.6 0.315 0.605
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Cold Interior
V̇c V̇h Th,i Th,o Tc,i Tc,o ∆T1 ∆T2 ΔTlm
[gal/hr] [gal/hr] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C] [C]
16 16 30 27 13 18 17 9 12.58
7 7 29.7 25 13 19.8 16.7 5.2 9.86
7 16 30 26.6 13 20.5 17 6.1 10.63
16 7 29.7 23.4 13 16.7 16.7 6.7 10.95

Material Properties at Inlet

Tc,i ρ cp
[C] [kg/m3] [kJ/(kg*K)]
13 999.3 4.19
13 999.3 4.19
13 999.3 4.19
13 999.3 4.19
Th,i ρ cp
30 995.6 4.18
29.7 995.6 4.18
30 995.6 4.18
29.7 995.6 4.18

V̇c V̇h ṁc ṁh q_cold q_hot U

[m^3/s] [m^3/s] [kg/s] [kg/s] [watts] [watts] [W/(m^2*K)]
1.68E-05 1.68E-05 0.0168 0.0167 352.2 210.0 2411
7.36E-06 7.36E-06 0.0074 0.0073 209.6 144.0 2109
7.36E-06 1.68E-05 0.0074 0.0167 231.1 238.1 3231
1.68E-05 7.36E-06 0.0168 0.0073 260.6 193.0 2544

C_c C_h Q_max ε NTU

[J/(k*s)] [J/(k*s)] [watts] [1] [1]
70.4 70.0 1190.3 0.176 0.238
30.8 30.6 511.5 0.281 0.477
30.8 70.0 1190.3 0.200 0.726
70.4 30.6 511.5 0.510 0.575
 13

Discussion:
There was a considerable amount of error in this experiment. It is noteworthy that though
the amount of energy transferred to the cold water and transferred from the hot water was usually
in the same order of magnitude, there was a significant difference between these two values in
every trial of the experiment. As mentioned in the theory section., here were many theoretical
assumptions underlying the calculations that may have contributed to discrepancies in the
different numbers calculated. However, these differences should have been insignificant. Poor
performance of the experiment such as inaccurate measurements and not waiting for steady state
to be fully reached may have contributed to this significant error.

Experiment design considerations:

The goal of the experiment was to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient, the
maximum heat transfer rate, the effectiveness, and the number of transfer units of a concentric
tube heat exchanger in various scenarios. These quantities were all determined from the
temperature differences experienced by the water as it flowed through the tube. The temperature
difference along with the material properties of water allowed the heat transfer rate to be
determined. The heat transfer rate yielded the overall heat transfer coefficient. Additionally, the
idealized maximum heat transfer rate, allowed for the determination of the effectiveness and
number of transfer units (NTU). The length and diameters of the concentric tubes, as well as the
volumetric flow rates of the water entering the system were also needed to perform these
calculations.
Potential sources of error besides deviances from the assumptions mentioned in the
theory section include heat transfer occurring in the manifolds on the ends of the heat exchanger,
changes to room temperature, poor insulations and inaccurate measurements.
Because the heat exchanger was not perfectly insulated, any changes to the room
temperature as the experiment was performed would have affected the results, because any
changes in temperature to the water entering and leaving the heat exchanger would be also be
caused by the changes in room temperature, not just heat transfer. An increase in room
temperature would have caused the cold water to become warmer, and the warm water to
become warmer than under ideal conditions. This in theory would not have increased the
temperature difference between the two liquids, as theoretically the same amount of energy is
being transferred from the room to the cold and warm water flows.
However, in practice, the flow through the outer pipe would have been most affected by
any change sin room temperature. If the cold water was in the outer tube, then a increase room
temperature would cause it to leave the heat exchanger warmer than it should have. This would
have reduced the temperature difference between the two fluids at exit, increasing the calculated
overall heat transfer coefficient and effectiveness. If warm water was in the outer tube and the
room temperature increased, then warm water will come out warmer than it should have,
increasing the temperature difference, lowering the overall heat transfer coefficient and
effectiveness.
 14

If warm water flowed through the outer pipe, and the room temperature increased, then
the temperature difference would have been higher than ideal. This means that the overall heat
transfer coefficient and the effectiveness would have been reduced. If the room temperature
decreased, then the warm water would have left the heat exchanger cooler than normal, leading
to a smaller temperature difference between the hot and cold water. This would have raised the
heat transfer coefficient and effectiveness of the heat exchanger.
Better insulation on the heat exchanger and better climate control in the room could have
reduced error associated with temperature changed in the room. A longer heat exchanger would
also serve to reduce the significance of an error associated with unaccounted heat transfer
occurring in the manifolds at the beginning and end of the main tube.
 15

Conclusion
The overall heat transfer coefficient was between 2737 and 4101 W/(m2*K) for the
parallel flow heat exchanger with the hot flow in the center. The maximum heat transfer rate
ranged between 398 and 841 watts. The effectiveness ranged between 0.333 and 0.525 for
parallel flow with a hot interior. The number of transfer (NTU) rating was between 0.405 and
0.922. The overall heat transfer coefficient was between 699 and 3533 W/(m2*K) for parallel
flow with a cold interior. The maximum heat transfer rate ranged between 374 and 1113 watts.
The effectiveness ranged between 0.151 and 0.467 for parallel flow with a cold interior. The
number of transfer (NTU) rating was between 0.405 and 0.922.
The counter flow heat exchanger with a hot interior had an overall heat transfer
coefficient that was between 2674-6302 W/(m2*K). The maximum heat transfer rate ranged
between 598 and 1435 watts. The effectiveness ranged between 0.315 and 0.854 for counter flow
with a hot interior. The number of transfer (NTU) rating was between 0.605 and 1.090. The
overall heat transfer coefficient was between 2109 and 3231 W/(m2*K) for counter flow with a
cold interior. The maximum heat transfer rate ranged between 512 and 1190 watts. The
effectiveness ranged between 0.176 and 0.510 for counter flow with a cold interior. The number
of transfer (NTU) rating was between 0.238 and 0.726.
The most effective heat exchanger arrangement was the counterflow heat exchanger with
a hot interior. Poor performance of the experiment such as inaccurate measurements and taking
temperatures before steady state was fully reached was likely the main source of error. If a
longer heat exchanger were to be used, any error associated with the manifolds at the inlet and
outlet of the heat exchanger would be less significant. Because the heat exchanger was not
perfectly insulated, any changes to the room temperature as the experiment was performed would
have affected the results, because any changes in temperature to the water entering and leaving
the heat exchanger would be also be caused by the changes in room temperature, not just heat
transfer. Insulation on the heat exchanger could be used to minimize the effects of room
temperature changes and to increase the validity of the assumptions underlying the application of
the governing equations

References:
[1] Frank P. Incropera and David P. DeWitt, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, Wiley

(2007).

[2] Anthony F. Mills, Basic Heat and Mass Transfer, IRWIN (1995).

[3] GUNT Geratebau GmbH Barsbuttel, Instruction Manual WL 314 Heat Transfer Bench, (June,

2002)