ABSTRACT

The objective of this experiment is to calculate and analyze heat transfer at steady state and to
determine the effect of liquid flowrate on heat transfer. After that, we need to compare
effectiveness of flow arrangement namely co current vs counter current. First, we need to
perform the general start-up procedure and open valves based on the instruction. After that,
set the hot tank temperature at 500C and adjust valves to set flow rate for hot water stream
and cold water stream. Allow the system to reach steady state and record all related data. By
following this method, we will get the desired results for this experiment. In conclusion, this
experiment aims to investigate heat transfer phenomena under steady-state conditions and
evaluate the influence of liquid flow rates on heat transfer efficiency. Additionally, it seeks to
compare the effectiveness of two flow arrangements, namely co-current and counter current.
INTRODUCTION

A heat exchanger is a device built for efficient heat transfer from one fluid to another,
whether the fluids are separated by a solid wall so that they never mix, or the fluids are
directly contacted. They are widely used in petroleum refineries, chemical plants,
petrochemical plants, natural gas processing, refrigeration, power plants, air
conditioning and space heating. One common example of a heat exchanger is the
radiator in a car, in which a hot engine-cooling fluid, like antifreeze, transfers heat to air
flowing through the radiator. Heat exchangers may be classified according to their flow
arrangement. In parallel-flow heat exchangers, the two fluids enter the exchanger at the
same end, and travel in parallel to one another to the other side. In counter-flow heat
exchangers the fluids enter the exchanger from opposite ends. The counter current
design is most efficient, in that it can transfer the most heat. In a crossflow heat
exchanger, the fluids travel roughly perpendicular to one another through the
exchanger. For efficiency, heat exchangers are designed to maximize the surface area of
the wall between the two fluids, while minimizing resistance to fluid flow through the
exchanger. The exchanger's performance can also be affected by the addition of fins or
corrugations in one or both directions, which increase surface area and may channel
fluid flow or induce turbulence. The driving temperature across the heat transfer surface
varies with position, but an appropriate mean temperature can be defined. In most
simple systems this is the log mean temperature difference (LMTD). Sometimes direct
knowledge of the LMTD is not available and the NTU method is used. One type of heat
exchanger is the plate heat exchanger. One is composed of multiple, thin, slightly
separated plates that have very large surface areas and fluid flow passages for heat
transfer. This stacked-plate arrangement can be more effective, in each space, than the
shell and tube heat exchanger. Advances in gasket and brazing technology have made
the plate type heat exchanger increasingly practical. In HVAC applications, large heat
exchangers of this type are called plate-and-frame; when used in open loops, these heat
exchangers are normally of the gasket type to allow periodic disassembly, cleaning, and
inspection. There are many types of permanently-bonded plate heat exchangers such as
dip-brazed and vacuum-brazed plate varieties, and they are often specified for closed-
loop applications such as refrigeration. Plate heat exchangers also differ in the types of
plates that are used, and the configurations of those plates. Some plates may be stamped
with "chevron" or other patterns, where others may have machined fins and/or grooves.
The objectives of this experiment are to measure and examine steady-state heat transfer
and determine how liquid flowrate affects heat transfer. Next, we must evaluate the
relative effectiveness of co current and counter current flow arrangements. Perform the
general start-up procedure and open valves HV5, HV7, HV9, HV10, HV12 and HV13
for counter-current plate heat exchanger. For co-current plate heat exchanger, we must
open valves HV7, HV8, HV11, HV12 and HV13. Set the hot tank temperature at 500C.
After the temperature is constant at 500C, switch on pumps (P1 and P2) and air cooler.
Adjust valves HV1 to set flow rate for hot water stream at 8 LPM and HV4 to set the
flow rate cold water stream at 8 LPM. Allow the system to reach steady state before
record all related data. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for next 3 different cold water flowrate
(10,12 and 14 LPM). Shut down the equipment after conducting experiments. In
conclusion, this conducted experiment give a big understanding of efficiency and
performance of plate heat exchanger systems. By improving our understanding of
flowrate and heat transfer efficiency, we can use this skill in industrial practices.
 APPENDIX

A MACHINE WITH PIPES, VALVES AND PLATE

HEAT EXCHANGER

TABLE FOR COUNTER

CURRENT AND CO CURRENT

FLOW RATE INDICATOR