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1.

Abstract

Heat exchangers are essential devices in simple matters like house hold heaters to complex
and dangerous structures like nuclear reaction controllers. Once the basic theories behind
these devices are known it’s only a task of extrapolating those ideas to apply them to more
complex situations. The aim of this laboratory exercise is to understand the methods
quantify the heat exchange rates, the governing factors and as well as the importance and
differences of them. The basic methods used here for quantifying heat exchange rates are
LMTD and Ɛ-NTU method. The report is concluded with a discussion explaining the
technical details of heat exchanges that would be important in selecting one in the real life.
2. Introduction

Heat transfer is a process that governs most of natural phenomena’s which why it’s described
by the second law of thermodynamics and considered the base of the vast subject, the
thermodynamics. As most of the devices related to thermodynamics, heat exchangers also
belong to the category which are governed by second law. Other than that heat exchangers
are often shaped by the laws of fluid dynamics. This is well expressed by the assumptions
taken in deriving equations related to heat exchangers and the expressions which are the base
of those derived equations.

Heat exchangers are used in almost all types of industries. In house hold refrigerator both
evaporator and condenser are heat exchangers. Although these equipment doesn’t comes to
mind when thinking about industrial very robust constructions they can be classified under
compact air cooled (or heated) heat exchangers. The bigger versions of these can be found in
huge power plants. Even the early locomotives that ran on steam, had a heat exchanger which
is known as the boiler in mortal dialect. Like most of the devices that evolved from their birth
in renaissance heat exchangers also have a proud history which was slow going at first but
really pumped out recently with all the advancements in simulation power, manufacturing
methods and interest in improving the efficiency. Now, we can find devices which transfer
humidity unlike good old devices that transferred only heat. These are known as HVAC by
terrestrials of the industry.

The objective of this laboratory exercise is to point out how to use LMTD and Ɛ-NTU methods
in calculations related to heat exchangers. Although the apparatus used to do this exercise is
currently not working it may have pointed the method explaining how to gather required data
for using any of the above methods.

I believe the true objective of this exercise is to identify the differences in these two methods
and figure out which one to use at which situation. At the end it’s required to validate the
results obtained with one method from the results of the other. But as the equation cannot
be identified to be used in Ɛ-NTU method I think the validation part is not substantially
justified in this report.
3. Theory

LMTD method
Ɛ-NTU method
4. Equipment
GUNT WL 110.03 shell and Tube Heat Exchangers Service Unit

5. Procedure
 Connect the shell and tube heat exchanger (which has 7 tubes and 4 baffle plates) to the
WL 110.03 service unit.
 Connect the hot and cold fluid inlets using the provided quick-action hose couplings
 Turn on the service unit using the main switch
 Take down the readings for different flow rates for both parallel flow and counter flow
configurations
6. Calculations

Sample calculation for the sample data set 5


LMTD method

0.00014975
– NTU method
7. Results
LMTD -method
T1 T2 Tln Km Q (W)
10.02 34.94 19.95117552 0.644842816 2.868978
10.6 33.2 19.795114 0.741676658 3.273991
11.08 31.6 19.57986422 0.836054617 3.650473
11.48 30.12 19.32441248 0.928813995 4.002579
11.82 28.76 19.05099245 1.018954554 4.328897
12.11 27.5 18.76475834 1.107629087 4.634919
12.35 26.34 18.47028948 1.193493692 4.915851
12.55 25.28 18.17810795 1.276335874 5.173906
12.72 24.29 17.88559813 1.358082406 5.416696
12.86 23.38 17.59905886 1.436990748 5.6396

– NTU method

Cmax Cmin Cr NTU Ɛ qmax (W) q(W)


0.59787 0.08169 0.136635 1.760312742 0.782156846 4.0845 3.194719636
0.60564 0.09205 0.151988 1.796783212 0.782525002 4.6025 3.601571321
0.61341 0.10241 0.166952 1.820527092 0.780936078 5.1205 3.998783186
0.62118 0.11277 0.181542 1.836707642 0.778303899 5.6385 4.388466533
0.62895 0.12313 0.195771 1.845422444 0.774735434 6.1565 4.769658698
0.63679 0.13349 0.20963 1.850335504 0.770779399 6.6745 5.144567097
0.64456 0.14392 0.223284 1.849284973 0.766130945 7.196 5.513078282
0.65233 0.15428 0.236506 1.844846383 0.761220348 7.714 5.872053761
0.6601 0.16464 0.249417 1.839482365 0.756327884 8.232 6.226091141
0.66787 0.175 0.262027 1.831136782 0.751191904 8.75 6.572929163
8. Discussion
Discuss the practical applications of various types of heat exchangers
Shell and tube heat exchangers
These are the most common and robust type of heat exchangers. As the number of tubes
can go up to 100 rate of heat transfer is higher. These are often used in liquid-liquid heat
exchangers. Because of the burly construction these are more often used in industrial
environments.

Crossflow compact heat exchangers


These are often used when heat transfer is to be done between gas and liquid. Plates used
in-between tubes increase the area for heat transfer as rate of heat transfer between
gasses and liquid are low. These are of light construction and are often used in automobile
and aircraft applications

Plate and frame heat exchangers


These are a new breed of shell and tube heat exchangers where alternating plates carrying
hot and cold liquids are found rather than shell and tube. These are more efficient than
shell and tube and have the ability to change the capacity simply by adding or removing
plates used in the heat exchanger.

Regenerative heat exchangers


These are most often found in air-conditioning applications where used as heat recovery
units. Sometimes even used to recover moisture also.

Dimple plate heat exchangers


Construction is simple where two plates are spot welded together and inflated. The liquid
flow through the inflated space through the plate. Mainly used when the liquid is
stationary. Often used in beer and dairy industry.

Compare the performance of different types of heat exchangers


Shell & tube heat exchangers
advantages disadvantages
Versatile, many pressure variations and Less thermally efficient than the plate and
temperature variations can be handled frame heat echangers
Mostly understood and most common in Viscous fluids can form fouls and
service stagnations in the tubes
More suitable for rugged use Can be subjected to fluid induced
vibrations

Cross flow compact heat exchanges


advantages disadvantages
Well suited for high temperature ranges High initial cost
Low maintenance and operation cost Require relatively large foot print
High process outlet temperature
Plate and frame heat exchanges
advantages disadvantages
More efficient than most of other types Large particles can cause blockages
Modular in nature therefore easy to Limited range of working temperature and
upgrade as well as service pressure ranges
Lower viscous fouling due to high Material used for construction must be
turbulent flow durable if not can form leaks often

What is meant by LMTD and NTU? Compare the two methods and advantages of each
method
LMTD means log mean temperature difference which is a term used in calculating the
average temperature difference in analyzing heat exchangers.

NTU means number of transfer units which is used to calculate the effectiveness ratio that
is used to compare the maximum heat transfer rate with the actual one.

LMTD method is used temperature of the inlet and outlet of both hot and cold liquids are
known. Using these values and effective heat transfer coefficients calculated for each setup
a theoretical value for heat transfer is calculated. This value is often modified by correction
factors and fouling factors to improve the accuracy of the calculation

This method is used mainly in deciding the dimension of a heat exchanger where all the
facilities are available to fabricate one.

For NTU method only two temperature values are required which are the inlet
temperature of the hot liquid flow and the cold one. By applying the NTU method with
these available data an estimation for heat transfer quantity can be calculated.
Mostly used when heat exchanges are at hand and its required to find the one which is
most suitable to tackle the required exchange rate.

By varying the flow rate of fluid, can enhance the heat transfer of a heat exchanger.
Explain why?
Heat transfer between liquids even when they are not allowed to touch each other is
higher when both liquids are in turbulent region because the heated part of the liquid
quickly move away from that position maintaining the average temperature difference
high and constant. Therefore if we can keep the flow in turbulent range the heat exchange
is more efficient as the transfer process is enhanced.

As explained in NTU method, the maximum heat transfer rate depends on the minimum
heat capacity. If both liquid are the same then the slowest flow controls the maximum heat
transfer. Usually the effectiveness of the heat exchanger is constant. Therefore by
increasing the maximum heat transfer capacity of the device the actual heat transfer rate
can be increased. There for varying the flow rate can enhance the performance of the heat
exchanger.
Discuss the factors that affected to the accuracy of the observations and justify your
observations
 All the equations used in the calculations are derived for steady state conditions
therefore the readings should be taken only when the its sure the steady state
conditions have been achieved.
 Variations in the inlet temperature and flow rate must be constant to make sure
the reading are taken at steady state conditions.
 Calculation of the volume flow rates can be made more accurate if volume of fluid
collected for timing is increased.

Discuss the best maintenance practices when you work with heat exchangers.
 Filter out the fluid which are taken from the natural source
 Make sure that particles bigger than the recommended sizes do not enter the heat
exchanger
 Never allow fluid to enter at a temperature and velocity above the recommended
range
 Use correct concentrations of cleaning solutions
 Keep the surrounding in a state that is favorable thus reducing corrosion from
outside.
 Regularly service the heat exchanger
9. Conclusions
 Heat transfer rated found from method seem follow the same trend which is an indication of
the accuracy of the results obtained.
 Better accuracy might have been obtained if the correct equation had been available for NTU
method
10. References
https://bnp.dragonforms.com/saveNewSubscription.do;jsessionid=03C36FA13545EF0ADE441272
1C93E09C
https://www.process-heating.com/articles/85920-how-to-maintain-your-heat-exchanger?v=preview
http://www.hcheattransfer.com/selection.html
https://academy.paulmueller.com/different-heat-exchanger-types
https://www.engineersedge.com/heat_exchanger/Camparison_heat_exchanger_types.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_exchanger

11. Bibliography
Heat Transfer Practical Approach by Yunus A. Cengel

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