MUHAMMAD USAMA JAMIL (2018-PE-45) 1

OBJECTIVE
To show the working principles of a concentric tube heat exchanger that works in counter
flow and parallel flow conditions.

INTRODUCTION
Hot and cold liquids travel in the concentration pipe construction in the same or opposite
directions in this heat exchanger. There are two fluid flow systems (Parallel, Counter and Cross).
All hot and cold fluids join at the same end in parallel stream, flow in the same direction and exit
at the same end. When hot and cold fluids join at different ends in counter flow, they flow in
different directions and exit at different ends. The heat is transferred by convection between two
liquids. The heat exchanger's main function is either to remove heat from the warm liquid, or to
apply heat to the cold fluid. Since the cooler fluid leaves the counter flow heat exchanger at the
end where the heat exchanger is reached by the warm fluid, the cooler fluid reaches the hot fluid's
inlet temperature.
Hot water is extracted from the pump discharge in this system and passes through the focus
tube's internal tubing. Cold water for the exchanger is supplied through the inlet from an external
source to the concentrate tube's outer annulus. Three thermometers observe temperatures through
the cold water. There are two valves at the top of the exchanger that are used to stop the drainage
in the tubes. Control valves are mounted to regulate the flow in each of the two channels. The flow
rates are measured in each row using separate flow meters and in the parallel flow both streams
are in the same direction.

Counter Flow

Parallel Flow

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 MUHAMMAD USAMA JAMIL (2018-PE-45) 2

PROCEDURE
 Turned on the electric and cold water supplies.
 Temperature was set to 70oC from the controller and the water was heated to the set
temperature.
 For counter flow, valves were arranged accordingly.
 Flow rate of hot and cold water was set to 3.31 L/min and 1.1 L/min respectively from
flow meters.
 Inlet, outlet and mid temperature of hot and cold water was noted through thermometers.
 After 10 minutes, the readings were noted again and three readings were taken from
thermometers.

Valves

Controller

Flow Meter
Thermometers

Outlet

Control Valve
Inlet

Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger

CALCULATION
Given temperature = 70oC

Hot water flow rate= QH = 2L/min = 2/ (1000 x 60) m3/s = 3.33 x 10-5 m3/s
Cold water flow rate= Qc = 1L/min = 1.67 x 10-5 m3/s
Heat transmission area = 0.067 m2
Density of hot water = ρH = 977 kg/m3

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 MUHAMMAD USAMA JAMIL (2018-PE-45) 3

Density of cold water = ρC = 997 kg/m3

CpH = 3.92 kJ/kg K
Cpc = 4.13 kj/kg K

FOR COUNTER FLOW:

Time TH(in) TH(mid) TH(out) TC(in) TC(mid) TC(out)
(min) (oC) (oC) (oC) (oC) (oC) (oC)
0 71 66 60 28 39 48

2 71 67 61 28 39 49

5 71.5 67 61.5 28 39 50

Mean 71.33 66.67 60.83 28 39 49

Δt2 = TH(out) - TC(in) = 60.33-28 = 32.33 oC

Δt1 = TH(in) - TC(out) = 71.33-48 = 23.33 oC
Power Power Power Lost Efficiency ∆ 𝑻𝒎 U
Emitted Absorbed (W) % (OC) W/m2 oC
(W) (W)
1.339 1.44 0.105 92.98 27.58 0.779

FOR PARALLEL FLOW:

Time TH(in) TH(mid) TH(out) TC(in) TC(mid) TC(out)
(min) (oC) (oC) (oC) (oC) (oC) (oC)
0 70 65 61 25 37 45

5 71 64 60 24 37 44

10 71 63 62 24 37 45
Mean 70.67 64 61 24.34 37 44.66

Δt2 = TH(out) - TC(out) = 61 – 44.66 = 16.4 oC

Δt1 = TH(in) - TC(in) = 70.67 – 24.34 = 46.3 oC

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 MUHAMMAD USAMA JAMIL (2018-PE-45) 4

Power Power Power Lost Efficiency ∆ 𝑻𝒎 U

Emitted Absorbed (W) % (OC) W/m2 oC
(W) (W)
1.212 1.4027 0.1907 86.404 28.8 0.726

GRAPH

RESULT
The efficiency, mean temperature difference and total heat transfer coefficient in counter
flow are 92.98, 27.58 and 0.779 respectively for the above experiments, while it is 86.404, 28.8
and 0.726 in parallel flow respectively.

CONCLUSION
We concluded from this experiment that counter flow heat exchanger is more efficient than
parallel because it produces more uniform temperature difference across the path between the
fluids. Counter flow can allow the escape of the cold fluid at high temperature than the exit of the
hot fluid. Therefore, efficiency, log mean difference in temperature and overall coefficient of heat
transfer are more in counter flow than in parallel flow.

REFERENCES
 https://www.britannica.com/technology/heat-exchanger#ref196607
 Redding, Alyssa M., Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger, Project 1, and Laboratory Manual.
Sept. 21, 2001
 Standards of the Tubular Exchange Manufacturers Association, 6th ed., Tubular Exchanger
Manufacturers Association, New York, 1978.

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