Effectiveness to calculate the outlet temperatures of a heat exchanger

In summary: I'm afraid, it seems you've used 1-e^-ntu(1-c)/1-Ce^-ntu(1-c) to get effectiveness= 0.92 and used that in your equations.Yes, this is the equation I used.Yes, this is the equation I used.
  • #1
PCal
31
2
Homework Statement
The data below relates to a specific heat exchanger. A reliable colleague has looked up an effectiveness chart and says that the effectiveness in the given operating conditions is 0.82.
For hot fluid: mass flowrate qm= 0.7 kg s -1, specific heat capacity cp=1.8 kJ kg-1 K-1, inlet temp= 140°C . For cold fluid: mass flowrate qm= 0.6 kg s -1, specific heat capacity cp=4.2 kJ kg-1 K-1, inlet temp= 15°C . Area of heat transfer surface=14m^2, Overall heat transfer coefficient 360 W m-2 K-1.
Determine:
i. the two outlet temperatures.
ii. the heat transfer rate.
I've spent ages on this but can't seem to find an equation to find both outlet temperatures! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Relevant Equations
ε=(T_HI-T_H2)/(T_HI-T_C1 )
Because the specific heat capacity is lower for the hot fluid:
ε=(T_hi-T_h2)/(T_hi-T_C1 )

0.82=(140-T_h2)/(140-15)

140-T_h2= 102.5

T_h2= 140-102.5=37.5°

I'm not sure if I'm actually on the right track here, if I am this is as far as I've gotten. I can't seem to then find an equation to calculate T_c2 other than the equation which my lessons tell me is only used when the specific heat capacity is lower for the cold fluid.
 

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  • #3
BvU said:
Hi,

I wonder where you got your relevant equation. I am used to a different definition of ##\varepsilon##
241393
In my lessons ε has been used to define effectiveness
 
  • #4
This is where I'm currently at
241395
 
  • #5
PCal said:
In my lessons ε has been used to define effectiveness
My bad -- long time ago :sorry:

To make up: Got the same result as you did.
 
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  • #6
BvU said:
My bad -- long time ago :sorry:

To make up: Got the same result as you did.
fab thank you!
 
  • #7
241404
one more thing, how's this for the heat transfer rate please?
 
  • #8
Is this a countercurrent heat exchanger or a co-current heat exchanger? I assume that it is countercurrent, correct?
 
  • #9
Chestermiller said:
Is this a countercurrent heat exchanger or a co-current heat exchanger? I assume that it is countercurrent, correct?
The question doesn't actually specify, I've assumed it's countercurrent/ cross flow
 
  • #10
Chestermiller said:
Is this a countercurrent heat exchanger or a co-current heat exchanger? I assume that it is countercurrent, correct?
Part C of the question also refers to the correction factor which leads me to think it's cross flow
 
  • #11
PCal said:
one more thing, how's this for the heat transfer rate please?
In #1 you calculated 129 kW
##Q_{\rm max} ## = 157.2, so I find 218 kW hard to believe ...

The 218 comes from UA*LMTD which applies to a countercurrent heat exchanger. Here you have a less effective heat transfer configuration, so a higher LMTD and your expression isn't valid.
Must say the exercise composer doesn't make it easy for you. Good you did the UA*LMTD check -- I did it too and had to look more than twice :wink:
Chestermiller said:
Is this a countercurrent heat exchanger or a co-current heat exchanger? I assume that it is countercurrent, correct?
Hi Chet! I was kind of struggling with that too. With ##\ C_{\rm min} =1.26,\ ## and ##\ UA =5.04##, NTU = 4. C_r=0.5 so that ##\ \varepsilon## for co-current would be 0.66 and counter 0.93 with the 0.82 in between.
 
  • #12
BvU said:
In #1 you calculated 129 kW
##Q_{\rm max} ## = 157.2, so I find 218 kW hard to believe ...

The 218 comes from UA*LMTD which applies to a countercurrent heat exchanger. Here you have a less effective heat transfer configuration, so a higher LMTD and your expression isn't valid.
Must say the exercise composer doesn't make it easy for you. Good you did the UA*LMTD check -- I did it too and had to look more than twice :wink:Hi Chet! I was kind of struggling with that too. With ##\ C_{\rm min} =1.26,\ ## and ##\ UA =5.04##, NTU = 4. C_r=0.5 so that ##\ \varepsilon## for co-current would be 0.66 and counter 0.93 with the 0.82 in between.

Of course, I didn't click onto that! Does 129.5kW sound like a more believable heat transfer rate please? Apologies this modules taking a lot to get my head around!
 
  • #13
Yes. If I assume counterflow, I get outlet temperatures of 73 for the cold stream and 24.1 for the hot stream.
 
  • #14
PCal said:
Of course, I didn't click onto that! Does 129.5kW sound like a more believable heat transfer rate please? Apologies this modules taking a lot to get my head around!
The 129.15 follows from the given information, yes.
 
  • #15
Chestermiller said:
Yes. If I assume counterflow, I get outlet temperatures of 73 for the cold stream and 24.1 for the hot stream.
Sorry I'm so confused, I got 66.25 for the cold stream outlet and 37.5 for the hot, this seems way off the mark!
 
  • #16
PCal said:
Sorry I'm so confused, I got 66.25 for the cold stream outlet and 37.5 for the hot, this seems way off the mark!
My calculation was for countercurrent flow. If you check your numbers, the heat transfer rate based on the log mean temperature difference does not match the heat transfer rate based on the flows and heat capacities (if the flow were assume to be countercurrent).
 
  • #17
Ohh that makes sense thank you, I'll look back over my lesson and calculations.
 
  • #18
Chestermiller said:
My calculation was for countercurrent flow. If you check your numbers, the heat transfer rate based on the log mean temperature difference does not match the heat transfer rate based on the flows and heat capacities (if the flow were assume to be countercurrent).
Still completely baffled I'm afraid, it seems you've used 1-e^-ntu(1-c)/1-Ce^-ntu(1-c) to get effectiveness= 0.92 and used that in your equations. Going through the same equation I got the same answer, however my question states that the effectiveness is 0.82. Given that, my outputs of cold= 66.25 and hot=37.5 would be correct wouldn't they?
 
  • #19
PCal said:
Still completely baffled I'm afraid, it seems you've used 1-e^-ntu(1-c)/1-Ce^-ntu(1-c) to get effectiveness= 0.92 and used that in your equations. Going through the same equation I got the same answer, however my question states that the effectiveness is 0.82. Given that, my outputs of cold= 66.25 and hot=37.5 would be correct wouldn't they?
Yes. That would be correct. But it looks like their providing U and A in the problem statement is totally extraneous sine you never need to use it in solving this problem.

Incidentally, I didn't use the equation you referred to in solving the countercurrent results; I derived the results from scratch.
 
  • #20
Thank you, so using that I'd get a heat transfer rate of 129.15 kW? Given that, am I correct in thinking I'd then use ∆Tc=UA/Φ then F=∆Tc x LMTD to get the correction factor?
 
  • #21
PCal said:
Thank you, so using that I'd get a heat transfer rate of 129.15 kW? Given that, am I correct in thinking I'd then use ∆Tc=UA/Φ then F=∆Tc x LMTD to get the correction factor?
Sorry. I don't fully understand what you are saying. The 129.15 is correct for the problem as posed.
 
  • #22
Chestermiller said:
Sorry. I don't fully understand what you are saying. The 129.15 is correct for the problem as posed.
Sorry, the next part of the question asks...
241477

Would the equations I posted above prove this wrong please? I worked out that the correction factor=1.68 but have no idea if this is correct.
 
  • #23
PCal said:
Sorry, the next part of the question asks...
View attachment 241477
Would the equations I posted above prove this wrong please? I worked out that the correction factor=1.68 but have no idea if this is correct.
What is the reciprocal of 1.68?
 
  • #24
0.59! Why have I had to take the reciprocal though?
 
  • #25
Got it! I was doing F=∆Tc x LMTD as opposed to F=∆Tc/LMTD
Thank you for all your help!
 
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  • #26
Hi, I am working this same question at the moment and I have got the same answers you did for the outlet temperatures and the heat transfer rate of TC2 = 66.25°C and TH2 = 37.5°C, and the transfer rate of 129.15kW.
I am now struggling with the correction factor part of the question. Following the equations given in the lessons which are as you mention above I am not getting to 0.59.

I get :
∆Tc = Φ / UA
129.15 / (0.36 x 14)
∆Tc = 25.625°C
Then

F=∆Tc/LMTD

LMTD = (TC2 - TC1) / In [(TH - TC1) / (TH - TC2)]
= (66.25 - 15) / In [(140 - 15) / (140 - 66.25)]
LMTD = 97.13°C

F=∆Tc/LMTD
25.625 / 97.13
F = 0.264
Please can someone point me in the right direction please as I am going round in circles.
Thanks in advance.
 
  • #27
I suspect your LMTD expression -- It looks wrong and it should have four temperatures as argument, not three

By the way, if you start a new thread, you appear on the 'unanswered' list (Threads with no replies) which is seen by many helpers. Now only the participants in this thread get a signal.
 
  • #28
The effectiveness factor is the ratio of the heat transfer rate to the maximum possible heat transfer rate. The maximum heat transfer rate is what you get if you have countercurrent flow. With countercurrent flow, you have different inlet and outlet temperatures than the ones given.
 

What is a heat exchanger?

A heat exchanger is a device that transfers thermal energy between two or more fluids at different temperatures. It is commonly used in heating, cooling, and other industrial processes.

How does a heat exchanger work?

A heat exchanger works by allowing two fluids to flow through separate channels, with a barrier (usually made of metal) between them. Heat is transferred from the warmer fluid to the cooler fluid through the barrier, without the two fluids coming into direct contact.

What is the effectiveness of a heat exchanger?

The effectiveness of a heat exchanger is a measure of how well it is able to transfer heat between the two fluids. It is expressed as a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating a more efficient heat exchanger.

How is the effectiveness of a heat exchanger calculated?

The effectiveness of a heat exchanger can be calculated using the following formula: Effectiveness = (Actual heat transfer rate)/(Maximum possible heat transfer rate). This value can then be converted to a percentage by multiplying by 100.

What factors can affect the effectiveness of a heat exchanger?

The effectiveness of a heat exchanger can be affected by factors such as the type and design of the heat exchanger, the flow rates and temperatures of the two fluids, and the properties of the fluids themselves (such as viscosity and thermal conductivity).

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