Lab 6-Heat Exchanger

11-06-2023
Contents
1. Introduction:...........................................................................................................................3
2. Heat and Temperature:.......................................................................................................... 3
3. Experimental setup.................................................................................................................4
4. Observation and results:........................................................................................................ 4
5. Conclusion:............................................................................................................................. 7
6. Pre-lab Questions:.................................................................................................................. 7
7. References:.............................................................................................................................9
 1. Introduction:

An essential engineering device for effectively transferring thermal energy between two distinct
fluid streams is a heat exchanger. This adaptable piece of machinery is frequently used in many
different applications, such as industrial operations and HVAC systems. Fundamentally, a heat
exchanger consists of two different fluids: a "cold fluid" and a "hot fluid." The goal of the heat
exchanger is to accomplish the opposite effect on one fluid while simultaneously heating or
cooling the other. A heat transfer surface on the heat exchanger acts as a barrier between the
two fluids. This surface, which is frequently composed of metal, is necessary to allow heat to
transfer. Heat is transferred between the hot and cold fluids that are directed towards
opposing sides of the heat transfer surface. As a result, depending on the particular application,
the temperature of the cold fluid either raises or decreases while the temperature of the hot
fluid drops. Heat exchangers are essential tools in the field of thermal engineering because they
preserve accurate temperature control and save energy in both home heating systems and
industrial processes like chemical manufacture and electricity generation.

2. Heat and Temperature:

Energy in the form of heat moves from an area with a higher temperature to one with a lower
temperature. It is the sensation of warmth or cold that we experience. The average kinetic
energy (energy of motion) of the particles within a substance is measured by temperature, on
the other hand. In other words, it provides us with information on the average speed of the
particles.
When heat is applied to a substance, the particles absorb the energy and begin to travel more
quickly. The temperature rises as a result of this increase in kinetic energy. A substance loses
energy and slows down as heat is removed from it, which causes the temperature to drop.
For instance, even if you keep adding heat, when water reaches its boiling point, it stays there
until all of it has converted to steam. In order to change water molecules from a liquid to a gas,
additional heat energy is necessary to dissolve the hydrogen bonds between them.

3. Experimental setup

A heat exchanger system intended to heat tap water is part of the experimental setup. A hot
water pump, a heater, and an inlet for tap water make up its three primary parts. The cold
water supply, which is normally obtained from the municipal water system, enters through the
tap water input. The fluid that needs to be heated in this arrangement is the cold tap water. By
moving hot water through the heat exchanger, the hot water pump is essential. This guarantees
a steady supply of hot water, which acts as the process's heat source. The heater, which raises
the hot water's temperature, is the third crucial element.
An electric heating element, a gas hob or a comparable device can supply this heat source. In
order to raise the hot water's temperature to a point where effective heat transmission is
possible, the heater is essential. One side of the heat exchanger is used for hot water flow, and
the other is used for cold tap water flow. The heat from the hot water is transferred to the cold
tap water as they go through the heat exchanger, heating it in the process. With this
arrangement, the two fluids may heat up in a regulated and hygienic manner without coming
into touch. These kinds of experimental configurations are frequently used to investigate heat
transfer principles or for real-world uses, such as home water heating systems.

4. Observation and results:

The observations of the following data is given below,

¿ Flow
Flow Flow Effectivenes
sr. no rate_hot rate_cold T1_hot_in T2_hot_out T3_c_out T4_cold_in
1 0.5 0.5 135 92 88 68 0.641791
2 0.75 0.75 142 105 96 68 0.5
3 1 1 143 110 98 68 0.44
4 1.25 1.25 144 113 99 67 0.402597
5 1.5 1.5 146 116 98 67 0.379747
6 1.75 1.75 147 120 97 67 0.3375
7 2 2 147 120 97 67 0.3375
8 2.25 2.25 147 122 96 67 0.3125
9 2.5 2.5 147 123 95 67 0.3
10 2.75 2.75 146 123 94 67 0.291139
 Counter Flow
Flow Flow Effectivenes
sr. no rate_hot rate_cold T1_hot_in T2_hot_out T3_c_out T4_cold_in
1 0.5 0.5 142 98 102 67 0.586667
2 0.75 0.75 144 99 101 67 0.584416
3 1 1 144 104 101 67 0.519481
4 1.25 1.25 145 109 101 67 0.461538
5 1.5 1.5 145 112 99 67 0.423077
6 1.75 1.75 146 115 98 67 0.392405
7 2 2 146 117 97 67 0.367089
8 2.25 2.25 146 119 95 67 0.341772
9 2.5 2.5 146 120 93 67 0.329114
10 2.75 2.75 145 121 92 67 0.307692

Here are the results,

Figure 1: Flow rate vs Effectiveness of both counter and parallel flow

Figure 2 Flow rate vs Effectiveness of both counter and parallel flow changes
 Figure 3 Flow rate vs Effectiveness of both counter and counter flow changes

We investigated parallel flow and counter-flow, two basic flow patterns, in our experimental
study of heat exchangers. Analyzing the efficiency of heat transport in each configuration was
the main goal. The findings demonstrated that, on general, counter-flow had greater
effectiveness values than parallel flow, which ranged from roughly 0.291 to 0.641791045.
Counter-flow's effectiveness values ranged from 0.307692308 to 0.586666667. This
demonstrates how flow arrangement has a big influence on heat exchanger performance.
These findings highlight the significance of choosing the right flow configuration based on
particular efficiency objectives and have practical consequences for system design.
It is obvious that the counter flow configuration is more effective for heat transfer under the
particular settings and study parameters if it shows greater effectiveness values in your
experiment when compared to the parallel flow heat exchanger. In applications where
optimizing heat exchange efficiency is a top concern, counter flow heat exchangers are the
recommended option due to their superiority in producing effective heat transfer, as
demonstrated by this result.

5. Conclusion:

In conclusion, our experiment has demonstrated that, in terms of heat exchanger effectiveness,
the counter flow arrangement regularly performs better than parallel flow. This demonstrates
how important flow arrangement is to the effectiveness of heat transfer. In practical terms, this
means that counter flow heat exchangers are the better option if you want maximum heat
transfer efficiency. This study highlights the significance of choosing the appropriate
configuration for certain applications and advances our knowledge of heat exchanger
performance. To improve our understanding of heat transfer processes, more studies should
examine other factors like materials and flow rates. These results provide insightful information
for maximizing heat exchanger performance in a range of applications.

6. Pre-lab Questions:
Question no. 1: Look up on the internet and find at least two different types of heat
exchangers. List them below:

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

One of the most popular kinds of heat exchangers is this one. It is made up of several smaller
tubes inside a big, cylindrical shell. One fluid—typically hot—flows through the tubes, and
another—typically cold—flows around the tubes' periphery inside the shell. Via the tube walls,
heat is transmitted from one fluid to another. Power plants, chemical processes, and HVAC
systems are just a few of the industrial applications for shell and tube heat exchangers.
Plate Heat Exchanger
A sequence of thin, corrugated plates with tiny spaces between them make up plate heat
exchangers. Heat transfer through the plate material is made possible by the effective flow of
two distinct fluids on either side of the plates. The small design, high heat transfer efficiency,
and ease of maintenance of plate heat exchangers are well-known attributes. Applications
include food processing, refrigeration, and HVAC systems frequently use them.
Question no. 2: Describe at least 5 different uses (applications) of heat exchangers?
Chemical Processing:
Heat exchangers are used in the chemical industry to regulate and maximise temperatures
during a variety of chemical reactions and processes. They assist in recovering heat, cooling
down products, and preserving particular reaction temperatures.
Cooling and Refrigeration Systems:
Heat exchangers are used by refrigeration systems, like those found in air conditioners and
refrigerators, to move heat from the system's interior to the outside air. This makes it possible
to cool down and keep the temperature down.
Heating and Cooling Systems:
In both household and commercial HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems,
heat exchangers are frequently used. In order to heat or cool the interior space, they assist in
transferring heat between the air within and a fluid made of water or refrigerant.
Power Generation:
In power plants, heat exchangers are essential components. They transport heat to water or
other working fluids, which powers turbines to produce electricity, from hot gases or steam
produced by combustion or nuclear reactions.
Food and Beverage Industry:
Pasteurization, sterilization, and cooling procedures in this sector all make use of heat
exchangers. By getting rid of dangerous bacteria without sacrificing the product's quality, they
aid in ensuring food safety.

Question no. 3: What is meant by counter-flow and parallel-flow heat exchangers?

Within heat exchangers, there are two distinct layouts or patterns for fluid flow: counter-flow
and parallel flow. They affect the effectiveness of heat transfer between the hot and cold fluids
by determining how they flow through the heat exchanger:
Counter-flow heat exchanger:
The hot and cold fluids enter the heat exchanger at opposite ends and flow in opposite
directions toward one another in a counter-flow heat exchanger. Because it maintains a greater
temperature differential between the hot and cold fluids along the whole length of the
exchanger, this arrangement enables the most efficient heat transfer. As a result, both fluids'
outlet temperatures are closer to one another and the heat transfer rate stays comparatively
high. When optimizing heat exchange is the main objective, counter-flow heat exchangers are
frequently chosen since they are usually more efficient.

parallel-flow heat exchangers:

The hot and cold fluids enter a parallel-flow heat exchanger at one end and flow side by side in
the same direction. Although this design is often less efficient than counter-flow, it can
nonetheless accomplish good heat transmission. The temperature differential between the
fluids reduces along the heat exchanger's length as they move in the same direction. Because of
their relatively straightforward design and potential for greater compactness, parallel-flow heat
exchangers can be used in situations where space constraints and efficiency are not the primary
concerns.