Effectiveness/NTU Curves for Tubular Heat Exchangers

Definitions

m = (mass flow rate) /(kg / s )

C = ( specific heat capacity) /( J /(kg K ))
m C = (heat capacity rate) /(W / K )
(lower heat capacity rate)
R=
(higher heat capacity rate)
U = (overall heat transfer coefficient ) /(W /(m 2 K ))
A = ( surface area for heat transfer ) /(m 2 )
UA
NTU = (number of transfer units ) =
(m C )lower
= (effectiveness) =

(temperature change of fluid with lower capacity rate)

(difference between entry temperatures of hot and cold fluids )

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Page 1 of 8

Effectiveness/NTU Curves: parallel flow

1

0.9

0.8

Effectiveness

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

NTU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 2 of 8

4.5

E ffectiveness/NTU Curves: counter flow

1

0.9

0.8

0.7

Effectiveness

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2 .5

3.5

N TU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 3 of 8

4.5

Effectiveness/N TU C urves:
one shell pass and an even num ber of tube passes
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

E ffectiveness

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2 .5

3.5

N TU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 4 of 8

4.5

Effectiveness/N TU C urves:
two shell passes and tw ice an even number of tube passes
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

E ffectiveness

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

N TU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 5 of 8

4.5

Effectiveness/NTU C urves:
cross flow - both fluids unm ixed
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

Effectiveness

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2 .5

3.5

N TU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 6 of 8

4.5

Effectiveness/NTU C urves:
crossflow - lower capacity fluid m ixed
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

E ffectiveness

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3 .5

N TU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 7 of 8

4 .5

Effectiveness/NTU C urves:
crossflow - higher capacity fluid m ixed
1

0.9

0.8

0.7

E ffectiveness

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3 .5

N TU

Copyright: Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

Page 8 of 8

4 .5