The optimal water flow rate for designing a helical coil heat exchanger (HE) is critical for achieving effective heat transfer. The discussion emphasizes the importance of performing an energy balance to determine the heat rate before calculating the required surface area and number of turns in the coil. It clarifies that helical flow heat exchangers operate as true counter-current exchangers, similar to shell and tube exchangers, and suggests contacting vendors for specific designs. The context of using the coil in an ice room with room temperature water is highlighted as a key factor in determining the design parameters.
PREREQUISITESEngineers, thermal system designers, and HVAC professionals involved in the design and optimization of heat exchangers, particularly those working with helical coil configurations in low-temperature environments.
