Heat transfer in a double pipe HE

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on an experiment involving a double pipe heat exchanger where cold water enters at 9°C and exits at 81°C, while steam at 133°C condenses in the outer tube. Two calculations for heat transfer were performed: one using the heat of vaporization (resulting in 28 kW) and another using the specific heat capacity of water (resulting in 59 kW). The significant discrepancy between these values raises questions about energy losses in the system. It was noted that not all energy from the steam condensation effectively warms the cold water, suggesting heat losses are a factor. Participants also discussed the need for an energy balance to further verify heat transfer accuracy, emphasizing the importance of flow rates and specific heat values in the analysis.
nod32
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Homework Statement


I performed an experiment using a double pipe heat exchanger. Readings were taken at steady state.

Cold water entered the inner tube at 9°C, and its exit temp was 81°C. (flow rate was measured).

The outer tube contained steam at 133°C and this temperature remained constant. Condensate flow rate was measured.


Homework Equations



i) q=U A ΔT(lmtd)
ii) q=m h_{fg} (where hfg is heat of vaporization)
iii) q=m Cp ΔT(bulk)

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the steam did not change temperature but condensed, there was latent heat transfer. q was calculated using ii). (result q=28kW)

I then calculated q using equation iii) applied to the cold water stream. (result q=59kW)

I don't understand why these two results are so far apart. In a perfect system, wouldn't they be equal?
 
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nod32 said:

Homework Statement


I performed an experiment using a double pipe heat exchanger. Readings were taken at steady state.

Cold water entered the inner tube at 9°C, and its exit temp was 81°C. (flow rate was measured).

The outer tube contained steam at 133°C and this temperature remained constant. Condensate flow rate was measured.


Homework Equations



i) q=U A ΔT(lmtd)
ii) q=m h_{fg} (where hfg is heat of vaporization)
iii) q=m Cp ΔT(bulk)

The Attempt at a Solution


Since the steam did not change temperature but condensed, there was latent heat transfer. q was calculated using ii). (result q=28kW)

I then calculated q using equation iii) applied to the cold water stream. (result q=59kW)

I don't understand why these two results are so far apart. In a perfect system, wouldn't they be equal?

Yes. And, even if there were heat losses, q ii would be higher than q iii, rather than lower. Show us the data.
 
Yes my mistake, I mixed them up. The higher q came from equation ii). I guess that makes sense since not all the released energy from the condensation ends up warming the cold stream.
So this large difference can be attributed to heat losses?

I'm also asked to do an energy balance to verify the accuracy of the heat transfer rates. Isn't that what I just did when I compared the two q values? How would that verify anything, as they would always be different?
 
nod32 said:
Yes my mistake, I mixed them up. The higher q came from equation ii). I guess that makes sense since not all the released energy from the condensation ends up warming the cold stream.
So this large difference can be attributed to heat losses?

I'm also asked to do an energy balance to verify the accuracy of the heat transfer rates. Isn't that what I just did when I compared the two q values? How would that verify anything, as they would always be different?

Let's see the data. Flow rates, heat of vaporization at 133, Cp used?
 
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