HEAT EXCHANGERS

Heat exchangers transfer heat from one working fluid to another. For instance, steam generators, feedwater heaters,
reheaters and condensers are all examples of heat exchangers found in nuclear power systems. The heat transfer rate
across a heat exchanger is usually expressed in the form
Q& = UATm

where:
Q&
U
A
Tm

=
=
=
=

(1)

heat transfer rate

overall heat transfer coefficient
heat exchanger area
average temperature difference between the fluids

The overall heat transfer coefficient is a function of the flow geometry, fluid properties and material composition of
the heat exchanger. The average temperature difference between the fluids is in general a function of the fluid
properties and flow geometry as well. Heat exchanger design requires consideration of each of these factors.
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
The overall heat transfer coefficient represents the total resistance to heat transfer from one fluid to another. The
functional form of U or the product UA, may be derived for any particular geometry by performing a standard
conduction analysis on the system of interest. To illustrate this, consider first a planar wall of thickness L, subject to
convection on both sides.

TH

TC

T1

z+ z

T2

z
L

Figure 1: Planar Wall Heat Exchanger

The heat transfer rate from the hot fluid to the wall for a surface area defined by the length segment z is given by
Newtons Law of Cooling as
q = hc1 As [TH T1 ]

(2)

such that
TH T1 =

q
hc1 As

(3)

114

The temperature drop across the wall is found by solution of the conduction equation
d dT
k
=0
dx dx

(4)

subject to the boundary condition

k

dT
dx

=
0

q
As

(5)

Integrating Equation 4,
x

0
k

d dT
k
dx = 0
dx dx

dT
dT
k
dx
dx

=0

(6)

(7)

and applying the boundary condition gives

k

dT
q
+
=0
dx As

(8)

Integrate Equation 8 over the wall thickness to obtain the temperature drop across the wall
L

0 dxdx + 0 kAs dx = 0
dT

T1 T2 =

qL
kAs

The temperature drop from the wall to the cold fluid is also found from Newtons Law of Cooling, similar to
Equation 3 above
q
T2 TC =
hc 2 As

(9)

(10)

(11)

Adding Equations 3, 10, and 11 gives the temperature drop from the hot to cold fluid as
TH TC =

1
q 1
L
+ +

As hc1 k hc 2

(12)

or
q = UAs [TH TC ]

(13)

where

115

 1
1
L
U
+ +

hc1 k hc 2

(14)

is the Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient. In actual heat exchanger design, the planar wall is seldom used. A more
common design involves heat transfer across a tube wall as illustrated in Figure 2.

TH

TC

T1

z+ z

T2

z
ri

ro

r=0

Figure 2. Circular Tube Heat Exchanger

In this case, the heat transfer rate from the hot fluid to the wall within the length segment z is
q = hc1 2ri z[TH T1 ]

(15)

such that
TH T1 =

q
hc1 2ri z

(16)

For the tube wall, the conduction equation is

1 d dT
rk
=0
r dr dr

(17)

subject to the boundary condition

2rkz

dT
dx

=q

(18)

ri

Integrating Equation 17,

r
ri

d dT
rk
dr = 0
dr dr

(19)

116

r k

dT
dT
kr

dr
dr

=0

(20)

ri

and applying the boundary condition gives

r k

q
dT
+
=0
dr 2z

(21)

Integrate Equation 21 over the wall thickness to obtain the temperature drop across the wall

ro

ri

dT
dr +
dr

T1 T2 =

ro

ri

q dr
=0
2kz r

r
q
ln o
2kz ri

(22)

(23)

The temperature drop from the wall to the cold fluid is

T2 TC =

q
hc 2 2ro z

(24)

Adding Equations 16, 23, and 24 gives the temperature drop from the hot to cold fluid as
TH TC =

q
z

1
r
1
+
ln o

r
h
2

k
ri
i c1

1
+

2ro hc 2

(25)

or
q = UA[TH TC ]

(26)

where

r
1
1
+
UA
ln o
2ri zhc1 2kz ri

1
+

2ro zhc 2

(27)

Since the heat transfer area on the interior of the tubes is different from that on the exterior in cylindrical geometry,
the product UA is normally used to describe heat exchanger performance. Equations 13 and 26 represent the heat
transfer across a small length segment z where the hot and cold fluid temperatures can be considered constant. In
reality, the hot and cold fluid temperatures change continuously along the length of the heat exchanger as illustrated
in Figure 3 below for the Double Pipe Heat Exchanger given in Figure 4.

117

Th

Th

q
Th2
Tc

Th2

Tc2
dA

dA

Tc

Tc2

Counter Flow

Parallel Flow

Figure 3: Fluid Temperature Profiles in a Double Pipe Heat Exchanger

If we let z be a differential length, then the heat transfer across the differential length segment is
q = dQ& = UdA(TH TC )

(28)

where dA is the differential area associated with length dz. The total heat transferred across the heat exchanger is
then obtained by integrating Equation 28 over the length of the heat exchanger

dQ& = UdA(TH TC )

(29)

Q& = UATm

(30)

(T

(31)

where
Tm

1
A

TC )dA

is the average temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids over the length of the heat exchanger. Since
the area in Equation 30 is now the total area of the heat exchanger instead of that associated with a small length
segment of a single tube, the expression given for UA in Equation 27 is modified to reflect the actual area of the heat
exchanger
UA =

n
r
1
1
ln o
+
hi Ai 2kL ri

1
+
h
o Ao

(32)

where:
n = number of tubes

118

hi
Ai
ho
Ao
ri
ro
k
L

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

convective heat transfer coefficient on the tube interior

interior surface area of one tube
convective heat transfer coefficient on the tube exterior
exterior surface area of one tube
tube inner radius
tube outer radius
tube thermal conductivity
tube length

The value of Tm depends on the heat exchanger design, with analytic expressions only available in special cases.
One such case is that of the simple double pipe heat exchanger illustrated below.

Figure 4: Double Pipe Heat Exchanger

Log Mean Temperature Difference

We wish to calculate the total heat transfer in the double pipe heat exchanger through an expression of the type
Q& = UATm

where Tm is some appropriate average temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids. If we assume
parallel flow, the steady state heat transferred through a differential area dA is

dQ& = m& C p h dTh = m& C p c dTc

(33)

where the subscripts h and c denote the hot and cold fluids respectively. We have already seen that we can
write the heat transfer across this differential area in terms of the Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient as
dQ& = UdA(Th Tc )

From Equation 33, dTh =

dQ&
m& C p

)h

and dTc =

dQ&
m& C p

)c

(34)

such that

1
dTh dTc = d (Th Tc ) = dQ&
m& C p

1
m& C p

)h (

(35)

119

Substitute for dQ& from Equation 34

d (Th Tc )
1
= UdA
(Th Tc )
m& C p

m& C p c

)h (

(36)

Assuming all terms on the right hand side of Equation 36 are constant, we can integrate from point (1) to point (2)
along the length of the heat exchanger

d (Th Tc )
=
(Th Tc )

1
UdA
m& C p

1
2
ln (Th Tc )1 = UA
m& C p

1
&
mC p

)h (

1
m& C p

)h (

(T Tc )2
= UA 1
ln h

m& C p
(Th Tc )1

(37)

(38)

m& C p c

)h (

Th2 = m& C p

) (

)c (Tc

Th1 Th2
1
and
m& C p
Q&

(39)

We further take advantage of the fact

Q& = m& C p

)h (Th

Tc1

(40)

such that
Tc2 Tc1
Q&

(41)

(T Tc )2
= UA Th Th + Tc Tc
ln h
1
2
2
1

Q&
(Th Tc )1

(42)

1
m& C p

)h

)c

Substituting into Equation 39

[(

) (

) (
)(

)
)]

)]

and rearranging gives

Th2 Tc 2 Th1 Tc1

Q& = UA
= UATm
ln Th2 Tc 2 / Th1 Tc1

[(

(43)

where
Tm

(Th Tc ) (Th Tc )
ln[(Th Tc ) / (Th Tc )]
2

(44)

is called the Log Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD). The LMTD represents the effective, average temperature
difference between the two heat transfer fluids over the length of the heat exchanger and though derived here for
parallel flow, Equation 44 is also valid for counter flow heat exchangers. The LMTD given in Equation (44) is only
strictly valid for single phase fluids in double pipe heat exchangers. In a heat exchanger other than a double-pipe

120

type, the heat transfer is calculated by using a correction factor applied to the LMTD for a counterflow double-pipe
heat exchanger with the same hot and cold fluid temperatures. Equation (1) is then modified such that
Q& = UAFTm

(45)

Correction factors for a single shell pass, and multiple tube passes are provided in Figure 5 below (from Holman,
Heat Transfer 3rd Edition).

Figure 5: Correction Factors for a single shell pass, and even number of tube passes
(Holman, Heat Transfer 3rd Ed.)
Steam Generators and Condensers
In steam generators and condensers, the shell side temperature can be assumed constant at the saturation
temperature. This simplifies the derivation of the LMTD as follows. Assume the constant temperature is that of the
cold fluid.
dQ& = UdA(Th Tsat )

and dTh =

dQ&
m& C p

)h

(46)

such that

1
dTh = d (Th Tsat ) = dQ&
m& C p

(47)

Substitute for dQ& from Equation 46

121

 1
d (Th Tsat )
= UdA
(Th Tsat )
m& C p

(48)

Assuming all terms on the right hand side of Equation 48 are constant, we can integrate from point (1) to point (2)
along the length of the heat exchanger

d (Th Tsat )
=
(Th Tsat )

1
UdA
m& C p

(T Tsat )2
= UA 1
ln h

m& C p
(Th Tsat )1

(49)

(50)

Recall

Q& = m& C p

)h (Th

Th2

(51)

such that
(T Tsat )2
= UA Th Th
ln h
1
2

T
T
(
)

Q&
sat 1
h

[(

)]

(52)

which may be rearranged to give

Q& = UA

(Th

[(

Th1

)(

ln Th2 Tsat / Th1 Tsat

)] = UATm

(53)

where
Tm

(Th

(Th Tsat ) (Th Tsat )

ln[(Th Tsat ) / (Th Tsat )] ln[(Th Tsat ) / (Th Tsat )]
2

Th1

(54)

Note, that this is identical to Equation 44 with

Tc1 = Tc 2 = Tsat .

A similar expression can be developed for condensers with the hot fluid temperature replaced by the saturation
temperature. In Once Through Steam Generator designs, the secondary water usually enters subcooled, boils, and in
some cases leaves superheated. For more precise heat transfer area calculations, an overall heat transfer coefficient
and LMTD should be determined for each region. U-tube steam generator designs actually contain one shell side
pass and two tube-side passes. This would normally require the use of Equation 45 with an appropriate value of the
correction factor F. Since the shell side temperature is constant however, the F factor becomes 1.0 and the LMTD
can be used without correction. This also holds for condensers. U-tube designs incorporating integral preheaters are
more complicated and require multiple LMTDs. The overall heat transfer coefficient can be calculated from
Equation 32 with the tube side heat transfer coefficient calculated from the Dittus-Boelter or some other appropriate
single-phase correlation. The shell side boiling heat transfer coefficient can be computed from the Jens-Lottes
correlation. It should be noted, that in this derivation it was assumed that the UA value was constant. We have seen
in our discussion of boiling heat transfer that the boiling heat transfer coefficient is a strong function of the wall

122

temperature. The same is true for condensation. To accurately predict the performance of heat exchangers subject
to either boiling or condensation generally requires Equation 49 to be integrated numerically.
Fouling Factors
After a period of time, the heat transfer surfaces of a heat exchanger may become coated with deposits from the
heat transfer fluids or corrosion. In either case, the additional resistance to heat transfer due to these materials
decreases the performance of the heat exchanger and must be accounted for. This is done through the use of
experimentally determined fouling factors. These fouling factors are then used to modify the overall heat transfer
coefficient according to
R f = 1/U 1/U

where:
R f = fouling factor
U = overall heat transfer coefficient for the "dirty" heat exchanger
U = overall heat transfer coefficient for the clean heat exchanger
Recommended values for fouling factors are given in Table 1 for some common fluids.

Type of Fluid
Sea water below 125 F
Sea water above 125 F
Treated boiler feedwater above 125 F
Fuel oil
Quenching oil
Alcohol vapors
Steam, non-oil bearing
Industrial air
Refrigerating liquid

Fouling Factor
(hr-ft2-F/Btu)
0.0005
0.001
0.001
0.005
0.004
0.0005
0.0005
0.002
0.001

Table 1: Fouling Factor for Common Fluids (Holman, Heat Transfer 3rd Ed.)

123

Example:
Estimate the tube bundle length required for a U-Tube steam generator having the following characteristics.
61 x 106
595
540
830
8519
0.75
0.048
10

Primary Coolant Flow Rate

Tube Side Inlet Temperature
Tube Side Outlet Temperature
Secondary (shell) Side Pressure
Number of Tubes
Tube Outer Diameter
Tube Wall Thickness
Tube Thermal Conductivity

lbm/hr
F
F
psia
inches
inches
Btu/hr-ft-F

SOLUTION
The total heat transfer rate through the steam generator is given by
Q& = m& C p T = UATm

such that
UA =

Q&
Tm

In addition, we have
UA =

UA =

n
r
1
1
+
ln o
hi Ai 2KL ri

1
+
h
o Ao

n
r
1
1
+
ln o
hi 2ri L 2KL ri
UA =

2nL
1
1 r
+ ln o
hi ri K ri

1
+
h
2
o ro L

1
+
h
o ro

from which L can be determined.

Fluid Properties
The primary side fluid properties are taken at the average fluid temperature and a pressure of 2000 psia.
Tave =

595 + 540
570 F
2

C p = 1.31 Btu/lbm-F

= 0.319 Btu/hr-ft-F
= 0.2265 lbm/hr-ft

Log Mean Temperature Difference

At a secondary side pressure of 830 psia, the saturation temperature is 522.4 F.

124

Tm =

(Th Tsat ) (Th Tsat )

ln[(Th Tsat )/ (Th Tsat )]
2

Tm =

Tm =

[(

(Th

Th1

)(

ln Th2 Tsat / Th1 Tsat

)]

(540 595)
= 38.3F
ln[(540 522.4) / (595 522.4)]

Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient

The tube side convective heat transfer coefficient can be obtained from the Dittus-Boelter correlation
G D
hi Di
= 0.023 i i
k

Gi =

0.8

Cp

0.3

61 106
m&
m&
=
=
= 3.069 10 6 lbm hr - ft 2
Ax n Di2 4 (8519)( )(0.654 12) 2 / 4

(0.319) (3.069 106 )(0.654 12)

hi = 0.023

(0.654 12)
0.2265

0.8

(1.31)(0.2265)

0.319

0.3

= 6506Btu hr - ft 2 - F

Boiling Heat Transfer Coefficient

The boiling heat transfer coefficient is computed using the Jens-Lottes correlation
q = 10 6

exp(4 P / 900)
(Tw Tsat )4
60 4

ho = 10 6

exp(4 P / 900)
(Tw Tsat )3 .
4
60

such that

The calculation of the boiling heat transfer coefficient is complicated by the nonlinearity in tube wall temperature
which is unknown. We can estimate the boiling heat transfer coefficient by making some reasonable estimate of the
wall temperature however, and for this example assume
Tw = Tsat + (0.5)Tm 542F

giving for the boiling heat transfer coefficient

ho 10 6

exp(4 830 / 900)

(542 522)3 = 24,691Btu hr - ft 2 - F
60 4

Tube Bundle Length

The UA value is found from the total heat transfer rate and the LMTD

125

UA =

UA =

m& C p T
Q&
=
Tm
Tm

(61 10 6 )(1.31)(595 540)

= 113.14 10 6 Btu hr - F .
38.8

The bundle length is then obtained from the UA value through the relationship.
UA =

L=

2nL
1
1 r
+ ln o
hi ri K ri

113.14 10 6
2 (8519)

1
+
ho ro

L=

UA 1
1 r
1
+ ln o +

2n hi ri K ri ho ro

1
1 0.75
1
44 ft

+ ln
+
(6506)(0.654 / 24) 10 0.654 (24,691)(0.75 / 24)

126

Example: (From Holman, Heat Transfer 3rd Edition)

Water with a mass flow rate of 30,000 lbm/hr is heated from 100 to 130 F in a tube and shell heat exchanger. A
single pass of water at 15,000 lbm/hr and 200 F is used on the shell side as the heating fluid. The overall heat
transfer coefficient is 250 Btu/hr-ft2-F and the average water velocity in the 0.75 inch I.D. tubes is 1.2 ft/sec.
Because of space limitations, the heat exchanger must be no longer than 8 feet. Consistent with this restriction,
calculate the number of tube passes, the number of tubes per pass, and the length of the tubes.
SOLUTION
Consider first a single tube pass. The exit temperature on the shell side is calculated from

Q& = m& C p c Tc = m& C p h Th

Th =

(m& C p )c Tc (30,000 1)(30)

(m& C p )h = (15,000 1) = 60F
Thexit = 200 60 = 140F

The LMTD is given by

Tm =

(Th Tc ) (Th Tc )
ln[(Th Tc )/ (Th Tc )]
2

which for this example (assuming a counterflow heat exchanger) gives

Tm =

(200 130) (140 100) = 53.6F

ln[(200 130) / (140 100)]

The total heat transfer area is obtained from the equality

Q& = m& C p c Tc = UATm

A=

(m& C p )c Tc (30,000 1)(30)

=
= 67.3 ft 2
UTm

(250)(53.6)

The number of tubes is obtained from the total tube side mass flow rate and the average velocity in the tubes through
the relationship
m& c = vAx = vnDi2 / 4
n=

4m& c
4 30,000
=
= 36.5 37tubes
2
vDi
(62)(1.2 3600) (.75 / 12) 2

The total heat transfer area is A = nDi L L =

A
giving for the tube length ( and therefore the heat exchanger
nDi

length) for a single pass heat exchanger

L=

67.3
= 9. 6 ft
(37 )(. 75 / 12 )

127

This length is greater than the allowable 8 feet for the heat exchanger length, implying more than one tube pass is
required. Note, while this reduces the length of the heat exchanger it will not reduce the tube length. Examine next
two tube passes. The total heat transfer rate is now given by
Q& = UAFTm

The correction factor F is given in terms of the ratios

R=

T1 T2
t 2 t1

P=

t 2 t1
T1 t1

For this problem

T1
T2
t1
t2

= 200
= 140
= 100
= 130
R=
P=

200 140
=2
130 100

130 100
= 0.3
200 100

From the graph of correction factors, F = 0.88 which increases the total heat transfer area to
A=

(m& C p )c Tc (30,000 1)(30)

=
UFTm

(250)(.88)(53.6)

= 76.3 ft 2

The total number of tubes remains unchanged at 37. The total heat transfer area is now given by
A = nDi 2 L L =

A
2 nDi

where the 2 is due to the two tube passes through the heat exchanger. The required length for the two pass heat
exchanger is then
L=

76.3
= 5. 25 ft
( 2 )(37 )(. 75 / 12 )

which satisfies the design requirement.

Note: This problem is somewhat idealistic, as the overall heat transfer coefficient is assumed to be constant. In
reality, as you increase the number of passes, you reduce the mass flux on the shell side and correspondingly the
shell side convective heat transfer coefficient.

128