Dynamic Viscosity in Reynolds Number

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the overall heat transfer coefficient for a ten plate heat exchanger, it's crucial to determine the dynamic viscosity accurately, especially since it varies significantly with temperature. The recommended approach is to use the arithmetic average of the bulk inlet and outlet temperatures, as well as the inlet and outlet surface temperatures, to evaluate viscosity. This method ensures a more accurate representation of the fluid's properties throughout the exchanger. Understanding this relationship is vital for materials students and engineers working with heat exchangers. Accurate viscosity determination is essential for reliable Reynolds number calculations and overall system performance.
George5356
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Determining dynamic viscosity for heat exchanger reynolds number/heat transfer coefficient calculation
I am trying to run a calculation to work out the overall heat transfer coefficient of an arbitrary ten plate exchanger where the fluid is not determined using Re=puD/mu where mu is dynamic viscosity. When mu is such a strong function of temperature how should I determine which valye to use, say if I assumed it was water of certain temperatures flowing in and out. I'm a materials student so haven't done too much of this.

Many thanks
 
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George5356 said:
Summary: Determining dynamic viscosity for heat exchanger reynolds number/heat transfer coefficient calculation

I am trying to run a calculation to work out the overall heat transfer coefficient of an arbitrary ten plate exchanger where the fluid is not determined using Re=puD/mu where mu is dynamic viscosity. When mu is such a strong function of temperature how should I determine which valye to use, say if I assumed it was water of certain temperatures flowing in and out. I'm a materials student so haven't done too much of this.

Many thanks
According to Transport Phenomena, Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot, Section 14.2, you evaluate the viscosity in the Reynolds number at the arithmetic average of the bulk inlet and outlet temperatures and the inlet and outlet surface temperatures. So, it is the average of the 4 temperatures.
 
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