University of La Sabana

Facultad de Ingeniería
Process dynamic and control laboratory
Teacher: Nina Marcela Pérez Barrero
Chía-Cundinamarca
____________________________________________________________________________________
HEAT EXCHANGER TRANSFER FUNCTION REPORT
Laura Catalina Marcelo – Juan José Marulanda –Andrés Felipe Mozo – Isabella Martina Ortiz
September 27th, 2019
ABSTRACT
As engineers, we were in charge to perform a previous characterization of the dynamic behavior in the
preheating zone of a new evaporator acquired by our company without a specific task. For this was
required to define step functions that validate the transfer function obtained in the theoretical development
and compare it with the results obtain trough the flow variation and the change in the exit temperature.
OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Control systems can be classified into linear and nonlinear, in the same way, variables with respect to time
or constants against it. Strictly speaking, linear systems are not possible in experimental practice, since all
physical systems are nonlinear. When the magnitudes of the signals in a control system are limited in
intervals, where the system components show a linear characteristic, (it means that the principle of
superposition can be applied), the system is essentially linear. However, when the magnitudes of the signals
are extended beyond the linear portion range, depending on the severity of the nonlinearity, the system
should no longer be considered linear.[1]
The control of the flow is important for any equipment from the industrial point of view, taking into account
that through it you can maintain an operating regime either in refrigeration systems, separation or heating
operations as in the case of the preheater the evaporator knowing that this will ensure the conditions desired
at the inlet flow of the evaporator.
The evaporator uses a preheater system to regulate the temperature of the inlet current, the heat exchanger
ensure that the fluid enters with the necessary temperature to obtain the desired output composition.[2]

EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS
RESULTS
As reported in the abstract, during the first session, a tube and shell exchanger from the evaporator
preheating system was used. But after analyzing the data, it was concluded that the transfer coefficient was
too low to analyze the heat exchange process this equipment did not allow the calorie exchange process to
be analyzed because it had a very low transfer coefficient. Reason why the practice was repeated using a
plate exchanger, with 2 plates coupled in a countercurrent system and the data for the inlet and outlet
temperature of both fluids are recorded; The following initial conditions were determined after 10 minutes
on:

Table 1. Initial conditions

The data collected from the process is shown in the following figures for the two process fluids.

34.6
34.4
34.2
Temperatura (ºC)

34
33.8
33.6
33.4
33.2
33
32.8
32.6
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Tiempo (s)

Figure 1. Output temperature profile (Hot fluid)

36.8
36.6
36.4
Temperatura (ºC)

36.2
36
35.8
35.6
35.4
35.2
35
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Tiempo (s)

Figure 2. Output temperature profile (Cold fluid)

In both figures in time close to 1300 seconds (22 minutes) it is possible to see that the system achieved a
stabilization state, reason why the hot water flow was suddenly changed to obtain a function with step
behavior while the function of hot water input temperature enters remains constant.

 Mathematical model
 Firstly, to obtain a function that models the behavior of the output temperatures as a function of time is
necessary to make an energy balance having in mind that the process requires of two fluids, hot and
cold fluids, reason why two energy balances should be performed. Equation 1 and 2 respectively where
the next conditions are assumed:
- Constant specific heat.
- Constant densities.
- Constant flow during all the process.

𝑑𝑇𝑐
WcpCp(TcO-Tc) + UA(Tha-Tca) = VcpCp ( 𝑑𝑡 ) Equation 1. Energy balance cold fluid.
𝑑𝑇ℎ
WhpCp(ThO-Th) - UA(Tha-Tca) = VhpCp ( 𝑑𝑡 ) Equation 2. Energy balance hot fluid.
𝑇ℎ𝑜 +𝑇ℎ
𝑇ℎ𝑎 = 2
Equation 3. Average temperature hot fluid.

𝑇𝑐𝑜 +𝑇𝑐
𝑇𝑐𝑎 = Equation 4. Average temperature cold fluid.
2

Where:
W= Volumetric flow (mL/s)
ρ= Fluid density (g/cm3)
Cp= Especific heat (J/g K)
Tho and Tco= Initial hot and cold temperatures of the fluid (K)
Tha and Tca= Average temperature hot and cold fluid (K)
U= Transference coefficient (J/min cm2)
A= Transference área (cm2)
Vc and Vh= Volume of cold and hot fluid in the equipment (cm3)
Th and Tc= Outlet temperature of the fluids (K)Where:

Information that can be defined for both cases as follows for every run because the fluid corresponds to
water and can calculate the volume with measuring the dimensions of the plates.:

RUN 1 2
Cp (J/g K) 0.42 0.42
P (g/cm3) 1.00 1.00
V (cm3) 47.7 47.7
Wh (cm3/s) 41.2 37.8
Wc (cm3/s) 11 11
Tho (K) 272.15 294.45
Tco (K) 294.45 310.95
 Table 2. Data for energy balance in every run

Where transference can be calculated using equation 1 and 2 in stationary state and transference area
measured:
WcpCp(TcO-Tc) + UA(Tha-Tca) = VcpCp (0)
𝑊𝑐𝑝𝐶𝑝(𝑇𝑐𝑂−𝑇𝑐)
𝑈= 𝐴(𝑇ℎ𝑎−𝑇𝑐𝑎)
= 10.13 (J/ min cm2)

So, solving in python the differential equation system it is possible to obtain the temperature profiles with
the expected behavior and compare with the obtained, the result is shown in figure 3.

Figure 3. Temperature profile for hot and cold fluid

To develop the transfer function and analyze the temperature behavior as a function of time is necessary to
apply the linearization process using Laplace transform in the obtained model of the energy balance.
Considering that interest variable is the cold fluid outlet temperature, so this model was specifically
evaluated, and the temperature of the hot fluid was taken as the input variable evaluated as a step type
function, due to the behavior shown in the previous graphs. The transfer function was developed as follows:
𝑇𝑐𝑜+𝑇𝑐 𝑇𝑓𝑜+𝑇𝑓 𝑑𝑇𝑓
{ WfpCp(TfO-Tf) + UA(( − ) VfpCp ( )}
2 2 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑔 𝑈𝐴
𝐴11 = =
𝑑𝑇𝑐 2𝑝𝑉𝑓𝐶𝑝

𝑑𝑔 𝑈𝐴 𝑊𝑓
𝐴12 = =− −
𝑑𝑇𝑓 2𝑝𝑉𝑓𝐶𝑝 𝑉𝑓

𝑑𝑔 𝑇𝑓𝑜 − 𝑇𝑓
𝐴13 = =
𝑑𝑊𝑓 𝑉𝑓

𝑑𝑇𝑓
= 𝐴11 𝑇𝑐 (𝑡) + 𝐴12 𝑇𝑓 (𝑡) + 𝐴13 𝑊 (𝑡)
𝑑𝑡

Using Laplace transform

𝑆 𝑇𝑓(𝑠) = 𝐴11 𝑇𝑐 (𝑠) + 𝐴12 𝑇𝑓 (𝑠) + 𝐴13 𝑊 (𝑠)
𝐾1 𝐾2
TF(s) = 𝜏 𝑠 + 1 𝑇𝑐(𝑠) + 𝜏 𝑠 + 1 𝑊(𝑠) Equation 3. Transfer function.
 −1 𝐴11 𝐴13
τ = 𝐴12 (𝑚𝑖𝑛) K1 = − 𝐴12 K2 = − 𝐴12 (K s/cm3)

τ =2,705932833 min K1 = 0,374922705 K2= 0,0691759583

So, with equation 3 and using Simulink Software it was possible to obtain the profile for the cold fluid
temperature, using initial temperature of this fluid as BIAS and TC (s) as a step function.

*Línea negra – Función de salida: Temperatura de fluido frio

Figure 4. Temperature profile for cold fluid using step function in Simulink.
*Línea roja – Función de entrada tipo paso: Flujo de fluido caliente
Black line = Outlet function: Cold fluid temperature.
* Línea amarilla – Función de entrada constante: Temperatura de fluido caliente
Red line = Inlet step function: Hot fluid flow.
Yellow= Inlet constant function: Hot fluid temperature,
According to the simulation the stabilization process for the first run was nearly to 39.1 °C and 35.8 °C
for the second.
ANALYSIS RESULTS
According to the results obtained the variation of the temperature of the cold fluid is shown with respect to
time and when comparing the actual data (figure 1) with respect to the dynamic model (figure 3) and the
transfer function (figure 4) it was established that the dynamic model is better compared to the transfer
model due to the percentage of error that each model has regarding the actual temperature at which it
stabilized the cold fluid in the plate exchanger. Similarly, the transfer function model presents a greater
error due to the approximation that was made through the Taylor series. The series being an infinite sum of
sequences, sometimes converge within an interval to an expression or function, thus, the Taylor series
converges to a function when there are n terms in the series. However, for the approximation the first
derivative was used, for this reason, the convergence interval of the linearization is going to be smaller, so
the change in the deviation variables should be small decreasing that error percentage [3].

Run Outlet temperature of cold fluid (°C) % error

 Dynamic Transfer
Real T Dynamic T Transference T
mode function
1 35,4 38 39,1 7,344632768 9,462915601
2 37,8 36,2 35,8 4,232804233 5,586592179
Table 2. Data for energy balance in every run

On the other hand, the differential model (figure 3) solved through Python of Anaconda software is based
on the numerical method to solve Runge Kutta differential equations of fourth and fifth order [5] which is
a generalization of Euler's method. The above methods are in turn based on Taylor's polynomial, thus,
Euler's method is a Taylor polynomial with a single derivative, making the approximation to the function
through tangent lines, thereby, the solution carried out by this method carries the same principle with which
the transfer function was performed. However, the Runge Kutta method is based on the Taylor polynomial,
however, it is more precise since it is the same as a fourth-degree Taylor polynomial (fourth order Runge
Kutta) or fifth grade (Runge Kutta fifth order), for this reason, the convergence of the numerical method is
greater due to the degree of the derivative it reaches, allowing the deviation variables a greater magnitude
[4].
CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCES

[1] Perez, M; Perez , A.; Perez, L,: (2007). INTRODUCCIÓN A LOS SISTEMAS DE CONTROL Y
MODELO MATEMÁTICO PARA SISTEMAS LINEALES INVARIANTES EN EL TIEMPO.
Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Obtenido de: http://dea.unsj.edu.ar/control1b/teoria/unidad1y2. pdf
[2] Sánchez, J. A. (2019, 08 23). Control de un intercambiador de calor. Retrieved from
https://es.slideshare.net/joseptchurquicondori/control-en-un-intercambiador-de-calor
[3] Stewart, J., Filio López, E., Robles Bernal, M., Romo M., J. H., & Flores Rosas, M. (2008). Cálculo :
trascendentes tempranas. Cengage Learning Editores. Retrieved from
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=cat06493a&AN=sab.000065100
&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
[4] Zill, D. G., Palacios Pastrana, E., & García Hernández, A. E. (2015). Ecuaciones diferenciales : con
aplicaciones de modelado. Cengage Learning. Retrieved from
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=cat06493a&AN=sab.000163480
&lang=es&site=eds-live&scope=site
[5] MathWorks América Latina. (n.d.). Resolver ecuaciones diferenciales no rígidas: método de orden
medio - MATLAB ode45 -. Retrieved September 22, 2019, from
https://la.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/ode45.html#bu0200e-1