Heat Transfer Equations

Basic Heat Transfer Equation

The rate of heat transfer through a given surface is given by the equation:
Q = U x A x LMTD
Where

Q = total heat exchanged

U = overall heat transfer coefficient
A = exchanger surface area
LMTD = log mean temperature difference

Rearranging the equation for area calculation gives:

A = Q / (U x LMTD)
For compact heat exchangers, U is generally the clean U value. The heat exchanger area is generally 5 to 20% more than the calculated area (A)
from above to allow for fouling. Please refer to fouling for more information and details.
Other Topics
Laminar Flow Equation
Log Mean Temperature Difference
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Thermal Balance
Turbulent Flow Equation

Heat Transfer Equations

Laminar Flow Equation
Laminar flow is generally avoided in most applications in compact heat exchangers due to the corrugations in plate. However, in certain applications
with extremely low allowable pressure drops or very high heat recovery applications, laminar flow is unavoidable. The most common widely accepted
equation for laminar flow is:

where

Nu = Nusselt's number = (h x d) /
h = film coefficient, d = equivalent hydraulic diameter, = thermal conductivity

and

Re = Reynolds number = (G x d) /
G = mass flow rate, d = equivalent hydraulic diameter, = viscosity

and

Pr = Prandtl Number = (c x ) /
c = specific heat, = viscosity, = thermal conductivity

and
L= plate length or flow length
a and b are constants depending on plate geometry
a = 1.86 to 4.50 .... b = usually 0.333
y is a constant derived from Seider Tate modification or correction for viscosity and modified for corrugated plates - usual value ranges from 0.05 to
0.20. is average viscosity and w is wall viscosity.
Other Topics
Basic Heat Transfer Equation
Log Mean Temperature Difference
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Thermal Balance
Turbulent Flow Equation

Heat Transfer Equations

Log Mean Temperature Difference
The term LMTD refers to the "true" driving force for heat transfer (rather than the arithmetic temperature difference) and is derived as follows:

Where

GTD = larger of (T1 - t2) or (T2 - t1)

LTD = smaller of (T2 - t1) or (T1 - t2)
T1 - hot side temp inlet T2 - hot side temp outlet
t1 - cold side temp inlet t2 - cold side temp outlet
CF is correction factor depending on flow arrangement, heat exchanger type, number of passes. For compact heat exchangers, CF is
usually very close to 1.

Other Topics
Basic Heat Transfer Equation
Laminar Flow Equation
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Thermal Balance
Turbulent Flow Equation

Heat Transfer Equations

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
This is often referred to as the U value. This can be clean U value (without fouling factors or excess area for fouling) and dirty U value which includes
allowance for fouling.

Where

Uc = clean U value Btu / hr - sq. ft. F

h1 = film coefficient side #1 Btu / hr - sq ft. F
h2 - film coefficient side #2 Btu / hr - sq ft F
y = heat transfer surface metal wall thickness in inches
k= thermal conductivity of heat transfer surface material Btu / hr - F - inch

The film coefficients are calculated based on flow characteristic, the heat transfer surface geometry and fluid properties. They are generally
calculated for Turbulent flow or Laminar flow.
Compact heat exchangers (gasketed and welded) have corrugated heat transfer plates. The Reynold's number at which flow becomes turbulent is
dependent on the "hardness" of the corrugation. For example, smooth surface shell and tubes have turbulent flow at Reynolds numbers greater than
2,100 while the hardest chevron corrugation plate can be turbulent flow at Reynold's numbers as low as 150.
Other Topics
Basic Heat Transfer Equation
Laminar Flow Equation
Log Mean Temperature Difference
Thermal Balance
Turbulent Flow Equation

Heat Transfer Equations

Thermal Balance
Heat cannot be created or destroyed. Therefore, heat given off by one fluid must equal heat gained by the other fluid in a heat exchanger.
Heat loss / gain - no phase change
Qs (Btu / hr) = flow rate (lbs / hr) x specific heat (Btu / lb - F) x temp rise / fall (F)
Flow rate (lbs/hr) = flow rate (USGPM) x 500 x specific gravity
Heat loss / gain - phase change
Qp (Btu / hr) = flow - phase change (lbs / hr) x latent heat (Btu / lb)
Total Q = Qs + Qp
Where Qp = O for liquid - liquid or gas-liquid or gas-gas heat transfer with no phase change
Phase Change - Condenser - (heat loss)
When a fluid (such as steam) changes from gas to liquid (water)
Phase Change - Evaporator (heat gain)
When a fluid (such as water) changes from liquid to gas (steam)
Other Topics
Basic Heat Transfer Equation
Laminar Flow Equation
Log Mean Temperature Difference
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Turbulent Flow Equation

Heat Transfer Equations

Turbulent Flow Equation
For relatively non-viscous fluids, the most common, and proven equations is Dittus Boelter Equation, modified for compact heat exchangers.

Where

Nu = Nusselt's Number = (h x d) /
h = film coefficient, d = equivalent hydraulic diameter, = thermal conductivity

and

Re = Reynold's Number = (G x d) /
G = mass flow rate, d = equivalent hydraulic diameter, = viscosity

and

Pr = Prandtl Number = (c x ) / k
c = specific heat, = viscosity, - thermal conductivity
a, n, and m are constants depending on plate geometry
a = 0.15 to 0.4 .... n = 0.65 to 0.85 .... m = 0.30 to 0.45

y is a constant derived from Seider Tate modification or correction for viscosity and modified for corrugated plates - usual value ranges from 0.05 to
0.20. is average viscosity and w is wall viscosity.
Other Topics
Basic Heat Transfer Equation
Laminar Flow Equation
Log Mean Temperature Difference
Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
Thermal Balance