TITLE OF EXPERIMENT

Experiment 1: Heat Exchangers

OBJECTIVES

 To study the operation of different heat exchangers.

 To study the effect of flow rate on a heat exchanger.

 To perform energy balance around a heat exchanger.

 To study temperature profiles across a heat exchanger.

 To study and compare the heat losses, heat transfer coefficient and log

mean temperature difference at different setting and exchangers.

INTRODUCTION

A heat exchanger generally functions to transfer heat from one fluid to another.

This heat exchange process may be for the purpose of heating up elements or cooling

it down. In the industrial sector, cooling tends to be the more prevalent function to

prevent equipment or volatile fluids from overheating and at a safe operating

temperature (STI Group, 2014).

Different types of heat exchangers work differently, with different flow

arrangements and designs. In this experiment, the main heat exchanger under study by

our group is the shell and tubes heat exchanger, while making comparisons with spiral

and flat plate heat exchangers by results shared from two other groups. This heat

exchanger consists of a cylindrical shell with multiple tubes running inside the shell.

One fluid passes through the tubes and exits the heat exchanger, while the other fluid

circulates on the outside of the tubes within the cylindrical shell.

1
 For this study, the flow rates of hot and cold water are manipulated to observe the

effect on the heat exchanger and the temperature profile it generates. The direction of

cold water flow is also controlled, while hot water flow direction is fixed, with the

result of either a co-current flow or counter-current flow. These various adjustments

on the heat exchanger had different effects on the exit temperatures of both hot and

cold water, due to the different contact time of both fluids inside the heat exchanger.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Heat Exchanger Study Unit

2. Water Supply

Figure A: Schematic Diagram of the Heat Exchanger Study Unit

2
 CALCULATIONS

Sample Calculations

Shell and Tubes Heat Exchanger

Specific heat capacity of water = 4.18 kJ/kg·oC

Length of tube = 0.5 m

Tube inner diameter = 0.00775 m

Tube outer diameter = 0.00953 m

Number of tubes = 10

π = 3.14159

Refer to Table 1,

Co-current flow

(Constant hot water flow rate of 6 LPM)

𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑔
Constant hot water flow rate = 6 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1000 𝐿 × × 1000
60 𝑠 𝑚3

= 0.1 kg/s

𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑔
Variable cold water flow rate = 2 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1000 𝐿 × × 1000
60 𝑠 𝑚3

= 0.0333 kg/s

Heat transferred, Qc

𝑄𝑐 = 𝑚̇𝑐 𝑐∆𝑇𝑐

𝑄𝑐 = 0.0333 × 4.18 × (36.3 − 30.3)

= 0.8360 kW

Heat loss, Qh

𝑄ℎ = 𝑚̇ℎ 𝑐∆𝑇ℎ

𝑄ℎ = 0.1 × 4.18 × (49.8 − 47.7)

= 0.8778 kW

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 𝑄𝑐 + 𝑄ℎ
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2

0.8360 + 0.8778
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2

= 0.8569 kW

Percentage of heat loss to surroundings

𝑄ℎ − 𝑄𝑐
= × 100%
𝑄ℎ

0.8778 − 0.8360
= × 100%
0.8778

= 4.76 % ≈ 5%

Co-current flow heat balance

𝑚̇ 𝑐 𝑐∆𝑇𝑐 = 𝑚̇ ℎ 𝑐∆𝑇ℎ = 𝑞

But since Qc = 0.8360 kW & Qh = 0.8778 kW

𝑄𝑐 ≠ 𝑄ℎ

Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference

(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖𝑛 ) − (𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

∆𝑇𝐿𝑀 =
(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖𝑛 )
ln
(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

(49.8 − 30.3) − (47.7 − 36.3)

∆𝑇𝐿𝑀 =
(49.8 − 30.3)
ln
(47.7 − 36.3)

= 15.089 ℃

Heat transfer coefficient, U

For outer heat transfer coefficient, Uo

Tube outer diameter = 0.00953 m

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Area of outer tube side = 𝜋𝐷𝐿𝑁

= 𝜋 × 0.00953 × 0.5 × 10

= 0.1497 m2

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑈𝑜 𝐴𝑜 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑈𝑜 =
𝐴𝑜 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

0.8569
𝑈𝑜 =
0.1497 × 15.089

= 0.3786 kW/m2 ∙ ℃

For inner heat transfer coefficient, Ui

Tube inner diameter = 0.00775 m

Area of inner tube side = 𝜋𝐷𝐿𝑁

= 𝜋 × 0.00775 × 0.5 × 10

= 0.1217 m2

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑈𝑖 𝐴𝑖 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑈𝑖 =
𝐴𝑖 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

0.8569
𝑈𝑖 =
0.1217 × 15.089

= 0.4732 kW/m2 ∙ ℃

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Spiral Heat Exchanger

Specific heat capacity of water = 4.18 kJ/kg-C

Tube inner diameter = 0.00775 m

Tube outer diameter = 0.00953 m

Number of coils = 28

π = 3.14159

r (radius of spiral coil, estimated) = 0.04 m

Refer to Table 5,

Co-current flow

(Constant hot water flow rate of 4 LPM)

𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑔
Constant hot water flow rate = 4 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1000 𝐿 × × 1000
60 𝑠 𝑚3

= 0.0667 kg/s

𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑔
Variable cold water flow rate = 4 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1000 𝐿 × × 1000
60 𝑠 𝑚3

= 0.0667 kg/s

Heat transferred, Qc

𝑄𝑐 = 𝑚̇𝑐 𝑐∆𝑇𝑐

𝑄𝑐 = 0.0667 × 4.18 × (32.1 − 28.7)

= 0.9475 kW

Heat loss, Qh

𝑄ℎ = 𝑚̇ℎ 𝑐∆𝑇ℎ

𝑄ℎ = 0.0667 × 4.18 × (49.4 − 45.8) = 1.0032 kW

𝑄𝑐 + 𝑄ℎ
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2

0.9475 + 1.0032
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = 0.9753 kW
2
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Percentage of heat loss to surroundings

𝑄ℎ − 𝑄𝑐
= × 100%
𝑄ℎ

1.0032 − 0.9475
= × 100%
1.0032

= 5.55 % ≈ 6%

Co-current flow heat balance

𝑚̇ 𝑐 𝑐∆𝑇𝑐 = 𝑚̇ ℎ 𝑐∆𝑇ℎ = 𝑞

But since Qc = 0.9475 kW & Qh = 1.0032 kW

𝑄𝑐 ≠ 𝑄ℎ

Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference

(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖𝑛 ) − (𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

∆𝑇𝐿𝑀 =
(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖𝑛 )
ln
(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

(49.4 − 28.7) − (45.8 − 32.1)

∆𝑇𝐿𝑀 =
(49.4 − 28.7)
ln
(45.8 − 32.1)

= 16.96 ℃

Heat transfer coefficient, U

For outer heat transfer coefficient, Uo

Tube outer diameter = 0.00953 m

Area of outer tube side = 𝜋𝐷𝑜 𝐿

= 2𝜋𝐷𝑜 𝑁𝜋𝑟

0.04
= 2 × 𝜋 × 0.00953 × 28 × 𝜋 × 2

= 0.1053 m2
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 𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑈𝑜 𝐴𝑜 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑈𝑜 =
𝐴𝑜 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

0.9753
𝑈𝑜 =
0.1053 × 16.96

= 0.5461 kW/m2 ∙ ℃

For inner heat transfer coefficient, Ui

Tube inner diameter = 0.00775 m

Area of inner tube side = 𝜋𝐷𝐿𝑁

= 2𝜋𝐷𝑖 𝑁𝜋𝑟

0.04
= 2 × 𝜋 × 0.00775 × 28 × 𝜋 × 2

= 0.0857 m2

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑈𝑖 𝐴𝑖 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑈𝑖 =
𝐴𝑖 ∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

0.9753
𝑈𝑖 =
0.0857 × 16.96

= 0.6710 kW/m2 ∙

Plate Heat Exchanger

Specific heat capacity of water = 4.18 kJ/kg-C

Nominal surface = 0.5 m2

Plate width = 124.46 mm
Plate length = 309.88 mm
Plate channel = 43.18 mm
Number of plates =4
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Refer to Table 9,

Co-current flow

(Constant hot water flow rate)

𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑔
Constant hot water flow rate = 7 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1000 𝐿 × × 1000
60 𝑠 𝑚3

= 0.1167 kg/s

𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑔
Variable cold water flow rate = 3 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1000 𝐿 × × 1000
60 𝑠 𝑚3

= 0.05 kg/s

Heat transferred, Qc

𝑄𝑐 = 𝑚̇𝑐 𝑐∆𝑇𝑐

𝑄𝑐 = 0.05 × 4.2 × (41.7 − 30) = 2.457 kW

Heat loss, Qh

𝑄ℎ = 𝑚̇ℎ 𝑐∆𝑇ℎ

𝑄ℎ = 0.1167 × 4.2 × (49.9 − 44.6) = 2.597 kW

𝑄𝑐 + 𝑄ℎ
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2

2.457 + 2.597
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = 2.527 kW
2

Percentage of heat loss to surroundings

𝑄ℎ − 𝑄𝑐
= × 100%
𝑄ℎ

2.597 − 2.457
= × 100%
2.597

= 5.4 % ≈ 5%

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Co-current flow heat balance

𝑚̇ 𝑐 𝑐∆𝑇𝑐 = 𝑚̇ ℎ 𝑐∆𝑇ℎ = 𝑞

But since Qc = 2.457 kW & Qh = 2.597 kW

𝑄𝑐 ≠ 𝑄ℎ

Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference

(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖𝑛 ) − (𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

∆𝑇𝐿𝑀 =
(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑖𝑛 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑖𝑛 )
ln
(𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑡,𝑜𝑢𝑡 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑,𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

(49.9 − 30) − (44.6 − 41.7)

∆𝑇𝐿𝑀 =
(49.9 − 30)
ln
(44.6 − 41.7)

= 8.8265 ℃

Heat transfer coefficient, U

For outer heat transfer coefficient, U

Plate width = 124.46 mm
Plate length = 309.88 mm
Area of heat exchange = 𝑥ℎ𝑁

= 0.12446 × 0.30988 × 4

= 0.1543 m2

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝑈=
𝐴∆𝑇𝐿𝑀

2.527
𝑈=
0.1543 × 8.8265

= 1.8554 kW/m2 ∙ ℃

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 DISCUSSIONS

In this experiment, the shell and tubes heat exchanger was studied by our group.
There are valves needed to be adjusted to control the flow of the hot and cold water. It
is very important as co-current and counter current can show different data results.
Co-current flow is where the inlet of hot water and cold water into the heat exchanger
are on the same side, whereas counter-current flow is where the inlet of hot and cold
water enter at opposite sides. Firstly, to enable hot water flow, valves V2, V3, V4 and
V5 are opened. Then, cold water flow through the heat exchanger can be enabled by
opening valves V19 and V20. To set for co-current or counter current flow, valves
V15, V16, V17 and V18 have to be specifically adjusted. For a co-current flow in the
heat exchanger, only valves V15 and V18 are opened among the four. Conversely, for
a counter-current flow, valves V15 and V18 are closed and open valves V16 and V17.

Next, the study unit comes with four temperature indicators to measure the
temperature for each stream entering and exiting the heat exchanger – hot water inlet
and outlet streams and cold water inlet and outlet streams. Indicators TT1 and TT2
measures and displays the temperature of hot water inlet and hot water outlet stream
respectively. Indicators TT3 and TT4 however, switches role when used in different
flow configurations. For a co-current flow, TT3 measures cold water inlet and TT4
shows cold water outlet temperatures. If a counter-current flow is applied, TT4
displays cold water inlet and TT3 is reassigned to measure cold water outlet
temperature from the heat exchanger.

Energy Balance Study of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

From the tabulated data, the co-current and counter-current heat exchanger’s exit
temperature of hot fluid is higher than the exit temperature of the cold fluid. This
infers that the heat may not spontaneously transfer from a hotter body to a colder
body. Theoretically, in terms of heat energy balance, the amount of heat loss from a
hotter body, Qh is equal to the heat transferred to a colder body, Qc. However, in

24
practical, it is not applicable in the real world scenarios. Based on the results obtained
from Tables 1 to 4, the amount of heat transferred to the cold water, Qc is less than the
amount of heat loss from the hot water, Qh. This is due to some heat are loss to the
surroundings. Thus, causing the amount of heat transferred to the cold water is lower
than the amount of heat loss from the hot water. Based on the calculations, the
percentage of heat loss to the surroundings is approximately 4% to 6%.

From the formula,𝑄 = 𝑚̇𝑐∆𝑇, the rate of heat transfer is directly proportional to
the mass flow rate. So, the higher the mass flow rate, the higher the heat transfer.

LMTD and Heat Transfer Coefficient of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

In order to determine the temperature driving force for heat transfer, the
logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD) is used. The LMTD is a
logarithmic average of the temperature difference between the hot and cold feeds at
each end of the double pipe exchanger. The larger the LMTD, the more heat is
transferred (Delta T, n.d.). Assumptions needed to make in LMTD method:

 The Internal Energy (U) is constant throughout the Heat Energy

 Cp and m are constant.

 The heat exchanger is perfectly insulated

 The cross section of stream is uniform

From the calculated results, the average LMTD of co-current flow is higher than
the average LMTD of counter-current flow. This implies that the co-current flow
transferred more heat than the counter-current flow. But actually, the LMTD of
counter-current flow should be larger than co-current flow (Delta T, n.d.). The cause
of this error might be due to the collection of data before the change of temperature is
really stable.

The overall heat transfer coefficient, U measures the rate of heat transfer from a
hotter fluid to the fluid that is colder through a solid surface. Based on the results

25
obtained, the overall heat transfer coefficient for counter-current flow is higher than
the co-current flow. Thus, the counter-current flow heat exchanger has a higher
effectiveness at transferring heat.

Temperature Profile Study of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

The temperature profile study on shell and tube heat exchanger is based on the
co-current flow and counter-current flow. Based on the graph plotted in Figure 1, with
the heat exchanger set as co-current and hot water at constant flow rate 6 LPM, the
hot water inlet temperature, TT1 and cold water inlet temperature, TT3 remained
constant when the cold water flow rate increases. The change in temperature of hot
water increases when the hot water outlet temperature, TT2 decreases as the cold
water flow rate increases because more heat is carried away by the increasing cold
water flow rate. Whereas the cold water outlet temperature, TT3 decreases as cold
water flow rate increases due to the time contact between the hot water and cold water
for heat transfer is shorter. Thus, the energy required is insufficient to raise the cold
water outlet temperature causing the decreasing trend in temperature of cold water.

On the contrary, referring to the graph in Figure 2, cold water flow rate is set as
constant at 6 LPM for the same co-current flow heat exchanger. The hot water inlet
temperature, TT1 and cold water inlet temperature, TT3 remained constant as the hot
water flow rate increases. At initial, the change in hot water temperature is very high
but it decreases as the hot water outlet temperature, TT2 increases as hot water flow
rate increases. This is due to the increasing hot water flow rate that provides more
heat energy to be transferred to the cold water. The cold water outlet temperature,
TT4 increases when the hot water flow rate increases causing the change in
temperature of cold water to increase. This is because the increasing hot water flow
rate supplied more heat energy to the cold water. As for the counter-current heat
exchanger, it has the same temperature profile trend as the above two examples but
the cold water outlet temperature is TT3 and the cold water inlet temperature is TT4.

26
Comparison between Three Types of Heat Exchangers Under Study

For all three types of heat exchangers, the heat loss in hot water averages at 5%.
This is primarily due to the malfunction of TT2 temperature sensor, where corrective
steps are taken to recalculate and predict the values of TT2 by assuming a 5% heat
loss based on the Qc values. Hence, when the Qh values are recalculated with their
respective mass flow rates of hot water and corrected temperatures, the result is
having heat loss ranging between 4% to 6%.

Next, almost all the log mean temperature differences (LMTD) of the heat
exchangers showed a similar difference in values when compared between the hot
water and cold water’s respective co-current and counter-current flows. The LMTD
values of most counter-current flows are lower than their respective co-current flows,
with the exception of flat plate heat exchanger having constant cold water flow rate of
4 LPM (Table 10 and Table 12), where the counter-current flow resulted in a higher
LMTD value than its co-current version. Supposedly, the LMTD of counter-current
should be greater than co-current, so one of the possible causes of this error may be
due to temperature sensors malfunction of the heat exchanger study unit.

As mentioned previously, a higher LMTD reveals that more heat is transferred,

which means a greater efficiency of that heat exchanger. By comparing average
LMTD values of all three types of exchangers studied, the spiral heat exchanger has
the highest average LMTD of 15.725 oC, followed by shell and tube with 15.115 oC
and finally 8.865 oC from flat plate heat exchanger. This indicates that both the spiral
and shell and tube design are significantly better at effectively transferring heat then
the flat plate design, with spiral heat exchanger taking the lead.

For the temperature profiles of both spiral and flat plate designs of heat
exchangers, they generally have the same trend as the shell and tubes heat exchanger,
depending on whether the cold water or hot water flow rates are constant.

27
 For spiral heat exchangers, the increasing or decreasing temperature trend against
changes in flow rates have relatively little changes compared to that of shell and tube
and flat plate designs. Based on Figure 5 and Figure 7 for constant hot water flow,
there is a decreasing trend of both hot and cold water outlet temperature curves, and
referring to Figure 6 and Figure 8 for constant cold water flow, there is an increasing
trend to both water outlet temperature curves. This can again be justified by the fact
that higher cold water flow rates at constant hot water flow rate (Figure 5 and Figure
7) are able to remove more heat from hot water while also reducing the temperature
rise in the cold water itself. An important observation is in Figure 7 and Figure 8,
where the temperature reduction of hot water is more for each flow rate compared to
Figure 5 and Figure 6, due to both hot and cold water set as counter-current flows,
thus more effective.

In addition, for the flat plate heat exchanger, the difference in temperatures of
both cold and hot water outlet relative to their corresponding inlets are much more
significant, as compared to shell and tube and spiral designs. This can be seen in
Figures 9 to 12, for both the hot and cold water outlet temperature curves, where they
are further away from their respective inlet temperature curves. A noteworthy
observation is in Figure 11 and Figure 12 where both are in counter-current
configurations, it is seen that all cold water outlet temperatures (green curve, TT3) are
greater than their corresponding hot water outlet temperatures (red curve, TT2). This
indicates that counter-current flow in flat plate is more effective at removing heat
from the hot water, but also increases the cold water temperature considerably,
compared to the shell and tube and spiral heat exchangers.

When comparing the overall heat transfer coefficients of the heat exchangers, the
flat plate heat exchanger showed the highest value, with the spiral and shell and tube
heat exchanger having similar lower values. This implies that the most efficient heat
transfer took place in the flat plate heat exchanger, which is further justified by an
expert from Thermaxx Jackets, a company specializing in heat exchangers and

28
insulations, stating that flat plate heat exchangers are more efficient than shell and
tube or spiral heat exchangers (Kaelin, 2015).

Errors and Precautions

A major error in the results is caused by malfunction of the TT2 temperature

indicator (hot water outlet) where it displays a greater value than TT1 (hot water inlet).
As mentioned, this was overcame by predicting the value of TT2 by manual
calculations based on the assumption of 5% heat loss, which is the normal heat loss of
typical heat exchangers.

Several precautions have to be taken this experiment as it can affect the data
results significantly. First of all, any leakage of water must be prevented so that
pressure throughout the pipes and heat exchanger is constant, as this will cause
variations in water flow rates. Besides that, the heat exchanger was observed regularly
to ensure there is no entrapped air inside the shell compartment. Bubbles of air will
form inside the shell if the flow rate is not high enough. Furthermore, an improvement
of results accuracy can be achieved by having a tube material with high thermal
conductivity to ensure a better heat transfer. With this, the efficiency will also be
improved.

Advantage and Disadvantage of Different Heat Exchangers

For the four types of heat exchangers, each has its own advantages and
disadvantages while operating. Therefore, the heat exchanger is selected depends on
the needs and requirements of the operation. For the shell and tube heat exchanger, it
is cheaper compared to plate type coolers. Besides, it can be used in a high operating
temperature and pressure. Next, the pressure drop across the tube is less. For its
disadvantages, it has a poorer heat transfer efficiency compared to other heat
exchangers. In addition, the shell and tube heat exchanger requires more space to cool
compared to other designs (Chew, 2015). Moving on to the flat plate heat exchanger,
it has the advantage of high overall heat transfer coefficient and low heat loss to
29
surroundings. In addition, it has a lower repairing cost compared to others. It is easy
to install. On the other hand, it cannot withstand and operate at high pressure and
temperatures, exceeding 200 oC and 20 bars (KK, 2012). For the spiral heat exchanger,
it has more of the same advantages and disadvantages as flat plate heat exchangers. It
has a low maintenance cost and has a high heat transfer efficiency per compact unit. A
disadvantage over shell and tube is not able to operate at high pressure and
temperatures (Mycheme, 2013). Additionally, considering the concentric tube heat
exchanger, it has the advantages of easy to clean and maintain. Besides, it can be
operated at high pressure and also producing turbulent flow conditions, thus
increasing the heat transfer coefficient. However for the disadvantages, there will be
high amount of heat loss due to their large shells (Coulson, 1999).

Applications for Different Heat Exchangers

Each type of heat exchanger will have its own area of applications and have
different operation conditions for certain range of processes. For the most simple
concentric tube heat exchanger, it can be used as cooler of engine circuit. It can be
applicable in various fields such as pharmaceutical, refinery and chemical industry. A
notable application is in heat transfer of nanofluid (Khedkar, 2012). For the shell and
tube heat exchanger, it has the application of cooling the hydraulic fluid and oil in the
engine. It can also be used for transmission of fluid and the hydraulic power packs.
Generally, this design is used for cooling of wide range of applications (Tranter,
2002). Furthermore, for the plate heat exchanger, it is normally used in cooling of
automobiles and can be found in refrigeration systems. It also works for steam
condensations and the cooling of swimming pools (KK, 2012). Lastly, the spiral heat
exchanger is used as condensers for mixed vapors and evaporators. Normally it can be
used for fouling and the mining of sludge and slurries. Since it only has a single flow
passage, the chemical cleaning is extremely effective. Other fields that is applicable
like refinery, production of petroleum and in the food industry (Tranter, 2002).

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 CONCLUSION

Counter-current flow is found to be more efficient in exchanging heat compared

to co-current flow. This is because heat transfer is more efficient when two streams, a
hot and cold stream, flow in opposite directions of each other.

From the formula,𝑄 = 𝑚̇𝑐∆𝑇, the rate of heat transfer is directly proportional to
the mass flow rate. The higher the water flow rate, the higher the heat transfer
regardless of whether it is co-current or counter-current flow.

In practical, the heat transferred to a colder body and the heat loss by a hotter
body is not equal as some of the heat loss will be lost to the surroundings.

The heat exchanger temperature profile can be different by keeping either hot
water or cold water as constant flow rate. The change in temperature of cold water
increases as the hot water flow rate increases. Whereas the change in temperature of
hot water decreases as the cold water flow rate increases.

Finally, when comparing all three heat exchangers studied, the heat losses are
similar for all, with around 5%, due to estimation of TT2 as the equipment
malfunctioned. For the LMTD, it indicates the amount of heat transferred by the heat
exchanger. Spiral and shell and tube heat exchangers have higher values than flat
plate design in this experiment. Lastly, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the flat
plate registered as the highest among the three designs, indicating most efficient heat
transfer in the flat plate heat exchanger.

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 REFERENCES

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e-heat-exchangers-chew> [Accessed 15 February 2016]

Coulson, J.M. and Richardson J.F. (1999). Coulson & Richardson’s Chemical
Engineering: Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer (Sixth ed.).
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<http://www.mycheme.com/types-of-heat-exchangers> [Accessed 15 Feb 2016]

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<http://setxind.com/downstream/industrial-heat-exchangers-what-they-are-how-
they-work-and-why-they-are-needed> [Accessed 14 February 2016].

Tranter, 2002. When to Consider Spiral Heat Exchangers. [online] Available at:
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[Assessed 15 February 2016]

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