1.

Abstract/summary
Regarding to the experiment objectives that are to determine the differences in
temperature between a parallel flow and a counter flow and to determine the most
efficient of concentric heat exchanger whether the parallel flow or counter-current flow,
this experiment is based on the transfer of heat at a different temperature gradient. We
used concentric heat exchanger. This instrument was combined with thermometers and
flow rate meter, thus we can control and indicate the temperatures of THin, THout, THmid,
TCmid, TCin, and TCout and also the water flow rate (hot and cold). The experiment
divided into 2 section A and B. A, constant flow rate, temperature varies and B,
constant temperature, varies flow rate. In experiment A, parallel flow is more efficient
than counter flow. For parallel flow, the average efficiency is 29.31% while the overall
heat transfer coefficient, U is 1.096 W/m2K at 60 C and 1.12 W/m2K at 70 C.
Meanwhile for counter flow the average efficiency we get is 26.67% while the overall
heat transfer coefficient, U is none at 60 C and 0.94W/m2K at 70 C. In experiment B,
counter flow is more efficient than parallel flow. For parallel flow, the average
efficiency we get is 34.62% while the overall heat transfer coefficient, U is 1.10 W/m2K
at 2500 cm3/min and 1.53 W/m2K at 3500 cm3/min. Meanwhile for counter flow the
average efficiency we get is 35.39% while the overall heat transfer coefficient, U is
1.44 W/m2K at 2500 cm3/min and 1.4 W/m2K at 3500 cm3/min. The experiment was
completely and successfully done.

2. Introduction
The process of heat exchanger between two fluids that are at different temperatures and
separated by a solid wall occurs in many engineering application. The device used to
implement this exchange is termed a heat exchanger, and specific applications may be
found in space heating and air conditioning, power production, waste heat recovery, and
chemical processing.
Heat exchanger is typically classified according to flow arrangement and type of
construction. The simplest heat exchanger is one for which the hot and cold fluids move in
the same or opposite directions in a concentric tube (or double- pipe) construction. In the
parallel- flow arrangement, the hot and cold fluids enter at the same end, flow in the same
direction, and leave at the same end. In the counter flow arrangement, the fluids enter at
opposite ends, flow in opposite directions, and leave at opposite ends.

The heats were transfer between the two fluids by convection mode which is from
the hot fluid to the wall and also by conduction which is occur within the wall itself and
back to the convection which is from the wall to the cold fluid. This concentric tube heat
exchanger is the simplest one of heat exchanger between the other types of heat exchanger.
This type mainly used for small flow rates of fluid. Another type heat exchanger is shell
and tube heat exchanger. This heat exchanger has some number of shell-and-tube passes
and the simplest form which involves single tube and shell passes. This type usually
2

installed with baffles where it increase the convection coefficient by inducing the formation
of turbulence flow and a cross-flow velocity component.

3. Aims/Objectives
The objectives of this experiment:

Understand the operating principles of concentric tube heat exchanger.

Determine the differences in temperature between a parallel flow and a counter

flow.
Determine the most efficiency of concentric heat exchanger whether the parallel
flow or counter-current flow.

4. Theory
Heat exchangers with only one phase (liquid or gas) on each side can be called onephase or single-phase heat exchangers. Two-phase heat exchangers can be used to heat a
liquid to boil it into a gas (vapor), sometimes called boilers, or cool a vapor to condense it
into a liquid (called condensers), with the phase change usually occurring on the shell side.
One of the most common, conductive-convective, heat exchanger types is the concentric
tube heat exchanger. These exchangers are built of coaxial tubes placed the ones inside the
others. When both the fluids enter from the same side and flow through the same direction
we have the parallel flow (concurrent flow), otherwise, if the fluids enter from opposite
sides and flow through the contrary direction we have the countercurrent flow. Usually the
countercurrent flow is more efficient from the heat transfer point of view. This type of heat
exchangers can also be built with the internal tube made with longitudinal fins which could
be placed either in its internal surface or in its external one or both. This configuration is
useful mainly if one of the fluids is a gas or a liquid with a very high viscosity and it's very
difficult to have a good thermal convection coefficient.

To find the efficiency, ;

q
qmax

Efficiency, =

100%
[mH.cp, H(TH, in - TH, out )]
[Cmin (TH, in - TC, in)]

100%

= ______%
*the value for cp can be evaluated from Table A_6, Fundamental of Heat and Mass
Transfer, Sixth Edition, John Wiley and Sons
The heat transfer from the hot fluid to the cold fluid is given by the following equation:
q =U A LMTD
Where:
U, is the overall heat transfer coefficient.
A, is the internal exchange surface area between the two fluids
LMTD is a log mean temperature difference, and it's given by:

,2 T,1
,2
ln
,1
Tlm

(TH, in TC, out) - (TH, out TC, in)

(TH, in TC, out)
ln
(TH, out TC, in)
=
5

Counter flow

Parallel flow

5. Apparatus
1. Concentric Heat Exchanger.
2. Water.

6. Procedure
A. Constant flowrate, temperature varies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Switch on the main switch.

Switch on the temperature and pump switches.
Set the valve for counter flow.
Set the hot flowrate at 2500 cm/min and cold water flowrate at 2500 cm/min.
Set the temperature at 60 C
Let the system stable until THin is 60 C and take the temperature at THout, THmid,

TCmid, TCin, TCout.

7. Repeat step 4 til 6 by varying the temperature at 70 C.
8. Repeat step 4 til 7 with co-counter flow.

B. Constant temperature, flowrate varies.

1) Set the valve for co-counter flow.
2) Set the temperature at 69 C.
3) Set the hot water flowrate at 2500 cm/min and cold water flowrate at 3000
cm/min.
4) Let the system stable and take the temperature at THout, THmid, TCmid, TCin, TCout.
5) Repeat step 3 and 4 by varying the hot water flowrate to 3500 cm/min.
6) Repeat step 2 til 5 with counter flow.

7. Result
A. Constant flow rate, temperature varies:

Heat

Temperature

Exchanger

Parallel Flow

Counter Flow

THin

THout

THmid

TCin

TCout

TCmid

i.

60

51

55

29

37

33

ii.

70

58

63.5

29

40

34.8

i.

60

51

56

29

38

32

ii.

70

58

64

20

41

34

Hot Flow

Cold Flow

Rate

Rate

(cm3/min)

(cm3/min)

2500

2500

Parallel Flow
i.

exp.A, 60C
70
60

60

50

51

40
temperature 30

37
29

T,h
T,c

20
10
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

2.2

ii.

exp.A, 70C
80
70
60

58

temperature 40

40
29

20
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

X

10

2.2

T,h
T,c

Counter Fow
i.

exp.A, 60C
70
60

60
51

50
40
temperature 30

T,h

38
29

T,c

20
10
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

2.2

ii.

exp.A, 70C
80
70
60

58
T,h

41

temperature 40

T,c

20
0
0.8

20

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

X

11

2.2

B. Constant temperature varies flow rate:

Heat

Temperature

Exchanger

Parallel Flow

Counter Flow

Hot Flow

Cold Flow

Rate

Rate

(cm3/min)

(cm3/min)

THin

THout

THmid

TCin

TCout

TCmid

i.

69

57

62

29

28.5

34

2500

ii.

69

57.5

63.5

29

40

35

3500

i.

69

56

62

29

39.5

33

2500

ii.

69

58

63

29

41

34

3500

12

3000

Parallel Flow
i.

exp.B, 2500cm3/min.
80
69
60

57
T,h

temperature 40

29

28.5

20
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

T,c

2.2

ii.

exp.B, 3500cm3/min.
80
69
60

57.5

temperature 40

40
29

20
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

X

13

2.2

T,h
T,c

Counter Flow
i.

exp.B, 2500cm3/min.
80
69
60

56

temperature 40

T,h

39.5
29

20
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

X

ii.

14

2.2

T,c

exp.B, 3500cm3/min.
80
69
60

58
T,h

41

temperature 40

29

T,c

20
0
0.8

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

2.2

8. Calculations
Sample calculation:
Exp A. constant flow rate, temperature varies:
i.

parallel flow (60 C)

QH= 2500 cm3/min
QC= 2500 cm3/min
mH= QH x = 0.0417 kg/s

mC = QC x = 0.0417 kg/s

60 C ~ Cp,H = 4.187 kJ/kg.s

29 C ~ Cp,C = 4.179 kJ/kg.s

The value for cp can be evaluated from Table A_6, Fundamental of Heat and Mass
Transfer, Sixth Edition, John Wiley and Sons.

Cmin

= mH x. Cp,H = 0.175 kJ/s

15

=mC x. Cp,C =

0.174 kJ/s * we consider this one is Cmin

because

the value is

smaller
q
qmax

Efficiency, =

100%
[mH.cp, H(TH, in - TH, out )]
[Cmin (TH, in - TC, in)]

=
= 0.175 kJ/s (60-51) C
100%
0.174 kJ/s (60 29) C
= 29.19 %

Sample calculation:
Exp B. constant temperature, flow rate varies:
parallel flow (2500cm3/min)

i.

QH= 2500 cm3/min

QC= 3000 cm3/min
mH = QH x = 0.0417 kg/s

mC = QC x = 0.05 kg/s

69 C ~ Cp,H = 4.19 kJ/kg.s

29 C ~ Cp,C = 4.179 kJ/kg.s

The value for cp can be evaluated from Table A_6, Fundamental of Heat and Mass
Transfer, Sixth Edition, John Wiley and Sons.

Cmin

= mH x. Cp,H = 0.175 kJ/s * we consider this one is Cmin

because

the value is

smaller
16

=mC x. Cp,C =

0.209 kJ/s

q
qmax

Efficiency, =

100%
[mc.cp, c(TH, in - TH, out )]
[Cmin (TH, in - TC, in)]

=
= 0.175 kJ/s (69-57) C
100%
0.209 kJ/s (69 29) C
= 35.82 %

Sample calculation:

Area (given) = 0.067

U=

m2

q___
A X Tlm

Tlm = T1 T2 / ln(T1/ T2)

Exp A. constant flow rate, temperature varies, parallel flow (60 C)

U = ___1.57 kJ.K/s____
0.067m2 x 21.39 K

= 1.096 W/m2K
17

A. Constant flow rate, temperature varies

T,C

qmax

Efficiency,%

(kJ.K/s)

(kJ.K/s)

Average

Tlm

U
(W/m2K)

efficiency,
%

Parallel
Exp.

60

1.57

5.394

29.19

70

2.1

7.134

29.43

60

1.575

5.394

29.19

flow

A
Counter
flow

29.31

21.39

1.096

27.90

1.12

33.29

0.94

26.67
70

2.1

8.7

24.14

18

B. Constant temperature varies flow rate

Flow

qmax

Efficiency,%

rate.

(kJ.K/s)

(kJ.K/s)

Average

Tlm

U
(W/m2K)

efficiency,
%

Parallel
Exp.

2500

2.508

7.0

35.82

3500

2.7945

8.36

33.42

2500

2.717

7.0

38.81

flow

B
Counter
flow

34.62

33.93

1.10

27.22

1.53

28.23

1.44

28.49

1.4

35.39
3500

2.673

8.36

31.97

9. Discussions
Regarding to the experiment objectives that are to determine the differences in temperature
between a parallel flow and a counter flow and to determine the most efficient of
concentric heat exchanger whether the parallel flow or counter-current flow, this
experiment is based on the transfer of heat at a different temperature gradient.
To archive the objectives of the experiment, we used concentric heat exchanger.
This instrument was combined with thermometers and flow rate meter, thus we can control
and indicate the temperatures of THin, THout, THmid, TCmid, TCin, and TCout and also the water
flow rate (hot and cold). The flow of water through this concentric heat exchanger can be
whether parallel or counter flow by adjusting the flow valves.
In experiment A, we fix the flow rate but vary the temperature. The flow rate is to
be 2500 cm3/min while the temperatures are at 60 C and 70 C for both parallel and
counter flow. For parallel flow, the average efficiency we get is 29.31% while the overall
heat transfer coefficient, U is 1.096 W/m2K at 60 C and 1.12 W/m2K at 70 C. Meanwhile
19

for counter flow the average efficiency we get is 26.67% while the overall heat transfer
coefficient, U is none at 60 C and 0.94W/m2K at 70 C.
In experiment B, we fix the temperature but vary the flow rate. The flow rate is to
be 2500 cm3/min and 3500 cm3/min for hot flow rate and 3000 cm3/min for cold flowrate
while the temperatures are fix at THin, 69 C and TCin, 29 C for both parallel and counter
flow. For parallel flow, the average efficiency we get is 34.62% while the overall heat
transfer coefficient, U is 1.10 W/m2K at 2500 cm3/min and 1.53 W/m2K at 3500 cm3/min.
Meanwhile for counter flow the average efficiency we get is 35.39% while the overall heat
transfer coefficient, U is 1.44 W/m2K at 2500 cm3/min and 1.4 W/m2K at 3500 cm3/min.
We notice that in experiment A, the parallel flow is more efficient than counter
flow. The truth should be counter flow is more efficient than the parallel flow. This may
because of several errors occur during the experiment progress. The common error occurs
is the eye position while taking the reading from the thermometer. The eye position of eye
should be parallel to the thermometer meniscus. Besides, we may be forgotten to press
enter key after setting the temperature needed, this is self mistake. The flow rates which
always easily change during the experiment may also cause this problem. The reading for
the digital thermometer is differing than the barometric thermometers also cause the error
to occur.
There are no problems occur in experiment B, the result shows that the counter flow
is more efficient than parallel flow. The flow rate is easily to control than controlling the
temperature.
The correct and perfect result may be obtained if we can minimize the errors; the
counter flow is more efficient than parallel flow can be proved.

20

10. Conclusion

In experiment A, parallel flow is more efficient than counter flow. For parallel flow,
the average efficiency is 29.31% while the overall heat transfer coefficient, U is
1.096 W/m2K at 60 C and 1.12 W/m2K at 70 C. Meanwhile for counter flow the
average efficiency we get is 26.67% while the overall heat transfer coefficient, U is

none at 60 C and 0.94W/m2K at 70 C.

In experiment B, counter flow is more efficient than parallel flow. For parallel flow,
the average efficiency we get is 34.62% while the overall heat transfer coefficient,
U is 1.10 W/m2K at 2500 cm3/min and 1.53 W/m2K at 3500 cm3/min. Meanwhile
for counter flow the average efficiency we get is 35.39% while the overall heat
transfer coefficient, U is 1.44 W/m2K at 2500 cm3/min and 1.4 W/m2K at 3500
cm3/min.

21

11. Recommendations

The eye position should be perpendicular to the meniscus and the scale.
Repeat the experiment at least 3 times to get accurate values and to make

comparisons.
Monitor the flow rates during experiment to make sure that the flow rate remains

constant.
Monitor the temperature during experiment to make sure it is constant.
Avoid any leakage of the instrument, the instrument should be working properly
Avoid direct contact with water because it is hot.

12. References

22

Perry, R.H., and D. Green, Perrys Chemical Engineering Handbook, 6th edition,

McGraw-Hill, 1984.
Bennett, C. O., and J. E. Myers, Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer, 3rd edition,
McGraw-Hill, 1983.

Fundamental of Heat and Mass Tramsfer ( 6th Edition,) John wiley & sons(Asia) Pte
Ltd

Saunders, E. A. (1988). Heat Exchanges: Selection, Design and Construction. New

York: Longman Scientific and Technical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_and_tube_heat_exchanger

13. Appendices

23

24