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1. IDENTIFICATION
Engineering
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Transport Phenomena
COURSE
Heat exchanger
LABORATORY PRACTICE

2. GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

REACTIVE
Quantity Name Risk* Safety Rules Emergency control
measures
N/A water burns Use gloves, Use gloves to avoid
glasses, and a burns whit hot
laboratory coat water tubes

EQUIPMENT
Quantity Name Risk * Safety Rules Emergency control
measures
1 Concentric tube burns Lab coat, gloves Use gloves to avoid
heat exchanger burns whit hot
WL302 water tubes
1 Shell and tube burns Lab coat, gloves Use gloves to avoid
heat exchanger burns whit hot
water tubes
MATERIALES
Quantity Name Risk* Safety Rules Emergency Control
measures
none none None none None

*Risk: Physical risk type 1

Here are all the. the reagents, equipment, and materials to be used during the development of the practice

3. GOOD PRACTICES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN WASTE MANAGEMENT TO

BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE

Waste Hazardous waste Waste disposal Emergency control

classification * measure
No waste No waste n/a n/a

*Hazardous waste classification: follow the “Hazardous and chemical materials disposal and storage
classification guide”.
If there is no generated waste, you will write not applicable. (N/A)

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4.1 OBJECTIVE
1. Use the concepts learned during the semester to understand the phenomenology of heat
exchangers.
2. Study phenomenology in heat exchangers.
3. Apply concepts of mass and energy balances.
4. Develop analytical thinking in chemical processes.
4.2 THEORETICAL CONCEPTS

4.2.1. The function of a heat exchanger: A heat exchanger is a device that facilitates the process of heat
exchange between two fluids that are at different temperatures. Heat exchangers are used in many
engineering applications, such as refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning systems, power plants, chemical
processing systems, food processing systems, automobile radiators, and waste heat recovery units. During
heat transfer, the fluids do not come into direct contact or mix. The heat transport from the hot fluid to the cold
fluid takes place through a thermally conductive separating wall.

4.2.2. Heat Exchanger principles: All types of heat exchangers operate using the same thermodynamic
principles and mechanism of heat transfer. These principles basically describe how thermal energy is
transferred at the macroscopic level. Three bodies are interacting in a heat exchanger system: the hot fluid,
the cold fluid, and the wall separating the two fluids. Energy flows from the hot fluid, through the wall or
barrier, and then into the cold fluid. The following are some thermodynamic principles that are useful to
understand how heat exchangers work:

• 4.2.3. Thermodynamics principles in a heat exchanger: The first law is referred to as the Law of
Conservation of Energy, which states that energy (in the form of heat and work) can neither be created nor
destroyed. It can only be transferred to another system or converted to one form or another. In heat
exchangers, this statement is translated by the heat balance equation written as:

(Heat In) + (Generation of Heat) = (Heat Out) + (Accumulation of Heat)

Assuming it operates in a steady-state flow that means that the thermal properties remain constant at all
points as time changes, and the system is adiabatic (perfectly insulated), the heat balance equation
simplifies to Heat In = Heat Out. This is one of the most basic equations which is used in the design and
operation of heat exchangers.

4.2.3. Mechanisms of Heat Transfer

The mechanism involved in the transfer of heat in heat exchangers is a combination of both conduction and
convection. The driving force of heat transfer is the temperature difference between two or more regions.

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4.2.3.1. Conduction: . For heat exchangers, the conduction takes place on the wall separating the two
fluids. Fourier‘s Law of Heat Conduction states that the rate of heat transfer normal to the material‘s
cross-section is proportional to the negative temperature gradient. The proportionality constant is the
material‘s thermal conductivity.

4.2.3.2. Convection: Convection in heat exchangers occurs through the bulk motion of the fluid against the
surface of the wall, thus transferring thermal energy. This phenomenon is represented by Newton‘s Law of
Cooling which states the rate of heat loss is proportional of a body to the difference in the temperature of the
body and its surroundings (for this instance, the wall and the fluid).

During an operation of a heat exchanger with a conductive partition, heat is transferred from the hot fluid to
the cold fluid in this sequence:

1. 1.From the hot fluid to the adjacent surface of the wall by convection.
2. 2. Through the wall surface side by conduction.
3. 3. From the wall to the cold fluid by convection.

4.2.4. Flow configuration in a heat exchanger

• 4.2.4.1. Countercurrent Flow: In countercurrent flow heat exchangers, the process and utility fluid streams
flow in opposite directions. Countercurrent flow in heat exchangers is the most efficient and the most utilized
flow pattern. A large temperature difference of the fluids is almost maintained constant across the length of
the heat exchanger. This provides a more uniform heat transfer rate and minimizes thermal stress. It is also
possible for the cold fluid to have an outlet temperature close to the inlet temperature of the hot fluid
(highest temperature). This configuration requires less surface area compared to its co-current flow
counterpart.

•
•
• Co-current or Parallel Flow: In co-current or parallel-flow heat exchangers, the process and utility fluid
streams flow in parallel directions. It is suitable if the outlet temperatures of the two fluids are nearly the same
temperature. The temperature difference of the fluids is very large at the inlet and drastically decreases across
the length of the heat exchanger, which causes large thermal stress and eventual material failure. This
configuration has less efficiency compared to countercurrent flow.
•

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• Cross Flow: In cross flow heat exchangers, the process and the utility fluids flow perpendicular to each
other. They are commonly used on systems with gas-liquid or vapor-liquid heat exchange, wherein the gas
or vapor is the process fluid. The liquid is contained in a tube and the gas flows outside those tubes.
Examples of a cross flow heat exchanger are steam condensers, radiators, and air conditioner evaporator
coils.

4.2.5. Types of heat exchangers

A heat exchanger is a broad class of heat transfer equipment

Recuperative Heat Exchangers

These types of heat exchangers are designed to have separate flow paths for the two fluids, wherein they
exchange heat simultaneously, utilize a conductive wall to separate the two fluids.

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4.2.5.1 Double-pipe Heat Exchangers: Double-pipe heat exchangers, also known as a hairpin or jacketed
pipe exchanger, are the simplest type among the heat transfer equipment. They are made of two concentric
pipes with different diameters. The process fluid flows through the smaller inner pipe and the utility fluid flows
through the annular space between the two pipes. The wall of the inner pipe acts as the conductive barrier
between the two fluids wherein heat is transmitted. The countercurrent flow pattern is the most utilized, though
it may be configured to co-current flow.

Double pipe heat exchangers are suitable for heating or cooling small flow rates of fluids. They are cheap,
have a flexible design, and are easy to maintain. They can be constructed from pipes of the same lengths
interconnected with fittings at the ends to maximize floor space. However, they only operate at lower heating
duties compared to other heat exchanger equipment.

4.2.5.2 Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers: Shell and tube heat exchangers are composed of tubes arranged
in a bundle that is housed in a large cylindrical vessel called a shell. Similar to the double pipe heat exchanger,
the wall of the inner pipe acts as the conductive barrier. The process fluid flows in the tube side and the utility
fluid flows on the shell side.

Shell and tube heat exchangers are ideal for heating and cooling liquids with high flow rates, temperatures,
and pressures. To increase operational efficiency, they can be designed to have multiple passes wherein one
fluid comes in contact with the other several times.

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4.2.5.3 Plate and Frame Heat Exchangers: These use a series of corrugated plates that are joined by either
a gasket, weld or braze to ensure that the two fluids do not mix. The plates have inlet and outlet ports on the
corner to allow passage of the fluid streams. The flow paths of the fluids are the spaces between the plates
and are arranged in alternating hot-cold-hot-cold fluid streams. Fluids flow in a countercurrent flow
configuration; the hot fluid flows down the plates while cold fluid flows up.

The design of the plate and frame heat exchanger creates a large heat transfer area, high turbulence, and
high fouling resistance. The overall heat transfer coefficient and efficiency are higher compared to tubular
heat exchangers. However, the high-pressure drop is encountered by the fluids due to high wall shear stress
that makes pumping costs expensive. It is also not advisable to be used if the fluids have high-temperature
differences.

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4.5.2.4 comparison between the heat exchanger

4.3 METHOD

1 Record temperature curves · in parallel flow mode · in counterflow mode

2 Determine average heat flux for parallel flow and counterflow operation
3 Determine average overall heat transfer coefficients

The WL 302 trainer enables the study of the characteristic properties of heat transfer on the model of a
tubular heat exchanger. The heat transfer takes place in coaxially arranged tubes with the hot water passing
through the inner tube. Cold water flows in the outer tube. In doing so, the hot water emits some of its
thermal energy to the cold water. In experiments, both parallel flow and counterflow operation can be
demonstrated, with their different temperature curves. The non-linear temperature progression along the
tubular heat exchanger is demonstrated by measuring the water temperatures in both tubes at the inlet,
outlet and half of the transfer section. A measurement of the pipe wall temperature also allows the
investigation of convective heat transfer at the wall. In the experiment analysis, the important variables
such as heat flux, overall heat transfer coefficient and heat losses are determined. The closed hot water
circuit contains a tank with electrical heater and a pump. A thermostat keeps the hot water temperature
constant. The cold water is supplied and disposed of via the laboratory network. The flow rate and all
relevant temperatures are recorded. The measured values are read from digital displays and can be
transmitted simultaneously via USB directly to a PC, where they can be analysed using the software
included.

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1. Adjust the desired Flow direction with valves 1,3,2,4. For parallel flow open valves 1
and 3, close valves 2 and 4.

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2. For countercurrent flow open valves 2 and 4, close valves 1 and 3.

3. Parallel flow T4 cold water inlet, T6 cold water outlet, Countercurrent flow T6 cold
water inlet, T4 cold water outlet

Parallel flow Countercurrent flow

DATA TABLE

Counterflow configuration
Hot Water Flow Cold Water T4 °C T6 °C
(l/min) flow (l/min)
1
2
3

Parallel configuration
Hot Water Flow Cold Water T4 °C T6 °C
(l/min) flow (l/min)
1
2
3

Heat exchanger supply unit WL110

For this practice, you must:

1. compare the difference between heat exchangers
2. function and behavior of a tubular, Shell and tube, and plate heat exchanger during operation •
3. recording temperature curves in parallel flow operation, in counterflow operation
4. Calculation of mean heat transfer coefficient

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CONFIGURATION EQUIPMENT SCHEME

HEAT EXCHANGER FOR THE PRACTICE

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For the operation follow the lines and change the connections for counterflow or parallel flow

Tubular and Shell and tube heat exchanger Plate Exchanger

DATA TABLE

Counterflow configuration tube exchanger

Hot Water Flow Cold Water Cold water Hot water Middle
(l/min) flow (l/min) temperature temperature water
°C °C temperature
°C
1
2
3

Parallel configuration tube exchanger

Hot Water Flow Cold Water Cold water Hot water Middle
(l/min) flow (l/min) temperature temperature water
°C °C temperature
°C
1
2
3

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Counterflow configuration shell tube exchanger

Hot Water Flow Cold Water Cold water Hot water
(l/min) flow (l/min) temperature temperature
°C °C
1
2
3

Parallel configuration Shell and tube exchanger

Hot Water Flow Cold Water Cold water Hot water
(l/min) flow (l/min) temperature temperature
°C °C
1
2
3

Counterflow configuration plate exchanger

Hot Water Flow Cold Water Cold water Hot water
(l/min) flow (l/min) temperature temperature
°C °C
1
2
3

Parallel configuration plate exchanger

Hot Water Flow Cold Water Cold water Hot water
(l/min) flow (l/min) temperature temperature
°C °C
1
2
3

4.4 CUESTIONARIO

1. the laboratory report must have a scientific article form

4.5 BIBLIOGRAFIC REFERENCES.

[1] J. M. Smith, H. C. V. Ness, and M. M. Abbott, Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Thermodynamics, 7th Edition, 7th edition. Boston, Mass.: McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2007.
[2] Y. A. Cengel, A. J. Ghajar, Heat and mass transfer fundamentals and applications, 5th
edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014.
[3] Gunt WL302 series heat transfer in the tubular heat exchanger.

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[4] Gunt WL110 series experiments of the fundamental of heat transfer.

[5] https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/heat-exchanger.html

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME Resultados del aprendizaje

1. An ability to apply knowledge of
mathematics, science, and
engineering
2. An ability to design and conduct
experiments, as well as to analyze
and interpret data
3. Management of industrial and laboratory
equipment
4. Energy balance calculations.
5. Equipment preparation and startup.
6. Preparation of PAPER-type report.

DEVELOP REVISE APPROVE

TEACHER COORDINATOR DIRECTOR
Jeffrey León Pulido Jeffrey León Pulido

Lina María Chacón Rivera

Date: 19/04/22 Date: 19/04/22 Date:19/04/2022

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CHANGE CONTROL

DATE DESCRIPCIÓN DEL CAMBIO

19.04.2022 The laboratory guide is changed from Spanish to English

https://myrcc.rcc.mass.edu/ICS/103_lab_manual/mitosis-and-meiosis.html
https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/heat-exchanger.html

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