At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of heat exchangers
- Differentiate between co-current and counter-current flow arrangements
- List some variables which affect heat transfer
- Describe the construction of a typical heat exchanger
- Describe different exchanger types and their strengths
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What is a heat exchanger?
Heat exchangers are typically used to transfer heat between fluids, and their theory of operation is based on the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
What is the definition of heat transfer?
Heat transfer is defined as the transmission of energy from one region to another as a result of a temperature difference between them.
How are heat exchangers classified?
Heat exchangers can be classified in several different ways, and include: transfer process, design and construction, flow arrangement, and surface compactness.
What variables determine the rate of heat transfer in a heat exchanger?
The rate of heat transfer in a heat exchanger depends on: surface area of the contacting surface, the temperature different between the two fluids, and the thermal conductivity of the surface materials and the heat transfer coefficient.
Below is a transcript of the video sample provided for this module:
Heat exchangers can also be classified by their design and construction. There are four basic designs. One, tubular. Two, plate. Three, extended surface. And four, regenerative. A tubular heat exchanger consists of a set of tubes, the tube bundle typically contained within a shell. Thus, the name Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger. The tubes contain one fluid and the second fluid runs over or around the tubes, to either supply heat to or remove heat from the tube surfaces.
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