Heat exchanger

Made by:
Gamal AbdulHaq
120172
Year three Chemical Engineering

Dr.Osama Abdullbary | heat transfer |

6/2017

Table of Contents
List of Figures......................................................................................................................1
1.

Introduction...............................................................................................................2

2.

Types of heat exchangers..........................................................................................4

3.

2.1.

Shell and tube heat exchanger:..............................................................................5

2.2.

Plate heat exchanger:............................................................................................6

2.3

Regenerative Heat Exchanger...............................................................................7

2.4

Adiabatic Wheel Heat Exchanger.........................................................................7

2.5

Double pipe heat exchanger:.................................................................................8

Bibliography...........................................................................................................11

List of Figures
Figure 1: Parallel and Counter flow.....................................................................................3
Figure 2: Temperature Distribution in Parallel and Counter flow.......................................4
Figure 3: Shell and tube heat exchanger..............................................................................6
Figure 4: Plate heat exchanger.............................................................................................6
Figure 5: Double pipe heat exchanger.................................................................................8

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Abstract

The aim of this report is to differentiate between the types of Heat Exchanger. Also it
highlights the directions that heat exchange can take place in; in terms of parallel heat
exchange and counter-current heat exchange.

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1.Introduction
Generally, heat exchange is an operation that normally would increase the
efficiency and effectiveness of numerous operations, and it also contributes
to some safety factors in most operations. That is why; there are several
heat exchanger devices that help in such operations. A heat exchange
device is known to be responsible for transferring or exchanging heat from
one matter or fluid to another. Normally heat exchangers are used to
transferee heat between fluids or liquids and some solid devices; were
normally there would be a solid barrier to separate the components so that
they would never come in direct contact neither mixes up. Furthermore,
heat-exchange devices are used mostly in cars, refrigerators, airconditioners, chemical plants, power plants, refiners, natural gas processing,
space heating and sewage. For instance, heat exchange devices act as
radiators in cars; where they would be responsible for transferring the heat
between the engine and the fluid (water) in the engine. Where the fluid is the
transfer medium used to exchange heat to air; this air would be flowing
through the radiator known as hot engine-cooling fluid. The main purpose of
using a heat-exchange device (radiator) in a car is to be able to transfer the
heat from the hot liquid to the cold liquid.
Moreover, heat exchange devices come in various types and forms that are
distinguished from one another according to their air flow direction; there are
3 main types of heat exchangers parallel flow, counter-current flow and cross
flow. Yet the main focus of this report is the parallel and concurrent flow.
Starting with the parallel flow, this usually happens when both materials
involved in the experiments are flowing in the same direction; this is because
both fluids will enter the heat exchangers at parallel ends. Moving on to
counter flow, this is usually happening when both fluids are flowing in
opposite directions; each of the fluids will be entering the heat exchangers at
opposite ends. (Woodford, n.d.)

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Figure 1: Parallel and Counter flow

According to the given temperature profile for the two of the heat
exchange devices; there is an indication of some cons in relation to the
parallel flow designs. A large temperature stress will be caused due to
the large temperature difference between the two parallel ends; this
would most likely lead to a material failure. This material failure will
happen as the expansion and contraction related to the construction
materials will face some deficiencies due to the temperature difference
between the fluids. Furthermore, the temperature of the cold fluid
discharged from the heat exchanger devices would never overcome
the lowest temperature of the hot fluid.
On the other hand, the design would be associated with some pros
(advantages), when there are two fluids to be brought at a nearly
similar temperature.
Moving in to the counter heat exchangers, they have some advantages
over the parallel designs. Firstly, the more aligned temperature
between the fluids, the less stress there would be between them.
Secondly, the more uniform temperature variation between the fluids,
the more the uniformed is the rate of the transferred heat. Finally, the
lowest temperature of the cold fluid can overcome the highest of the
hot fluid.

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Figure 2: Temperature Distribution in Parallel and Counter flow

It is a most to know that heat exchange would be involved in

conduction and convection, regardless if it is a parallel or current
designs. In most scenarios hot fluids would likely transfer heat to the
tube wall during convection, yet it would be transferred during
conduction the heat will be transferred over the tube to the opposite
wall. Also it must be known the fluids temperature would not be
constant as it would be transferred through the whole exchanger.
(Tsatsaronis, 2000)

2.Types of heat exchangers

There are many types of heat exchangers for example:

Double pipe heat exchangers

Shell and tube heat exchanger
Plate heat exchanger
Plate and shell heat exchanger
Plate fin heat exchanger
Fluid heat exchanger
Waste heat recovery units
Dynamic scraped surface heat exchanger
Direct contact heat exchangers
HVAC air coils
Spiral heat exchangers

These types are considered to be as different types or forms not as the

previously recognized by direction; they are considered to be different

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forms.

2.1. Shell and tube heat exchanger:

This type of heat exchanger is made up of a series of tubes; one of

these tubes must contain the fluid that would heated or cooled.
Moreover, the second fluid will flow over the tubes that are heated or
cooled acting as the medium if exchange to absorb the heat flow.
These tubes can be made up of various categories of tubes longitudinal
or plain tubes and the set of them is called bundle of types. Such type
of exchangers is most likely to be associated with high-pressure
applications with a temperature higher than 30 bars. Such type of
tubes has specific characteristics and factors that must be taken into
consideration when they are being designed. Tube diameter is one of
those characteristics that must be taken to consideration; when relying
on a small diameter this can be economically wise, yet technically it
can make the cleaning process of the exchanger hard. Sometimes to
overcome such problems a larger diameter is ought to be used.
Secondly, tube thicknesses is important to ensure several things, such
as, having enough room for corrosion, flow vibration has enough
resistance, spare parts are available and hoop and buckling strength.
Another thing to be taken into consideration is the length of the tube,
as they are more cost effective when they smaller diameter and long
length. That is why the main purpose always is to make the heat
exchanger physically long as possible. Also the tube layout is important
ad the tubes should be placed properly within the shell. Finally the tube
pitch is to be 1.25 times the size of the tube so that the center would
have enough space. (Sons, 2003)

Advantages:
1-Less expensive as compared to Plate type coolers
2- Can be used in systems with higher operating temperatures
and pressures
3- Pressure drop across a tube cooler is less
4-Tube leaks are easily located and plugged since pressure test
is comparatively easy
5-Tubular coolers in refrigeration system can act as receiver
also.
6-Using sacrificial anodes protects the whole cooling system

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against corrosion
7- Tube coolers may be preferred for lubricating oil cooling
because of the pressure differential

Disadvantage
1-Heat transfer efficiency is less compared to plate type cooler
2- Cleaning and maintenance is difficult since a tube cooler
requires enough clearance at one end to remove the tube nest
3-Capacity of tube cooler cannot be increased.
4-Requires more space in comparison to plate coolers
Application: Used as regular heat exchanger for distillation
columns, chemical equipments stream cooling and heating
purpose. Used internally in reboilers and evaporators.

Figure 3: Shell and tube heat exchanger

2.2. Plate heat exchanger:

This is another design of heat exchangers composed of number of thin
plates that are separated by large surface area so that the fluid will
pass through for heat transferring process to take place. Such type of
heat exchange devises is considered to be very practical for use
especially due to the technological advancements. Sometimes heat
exchangers come in the form of bonded plates heat exchangers, such

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as, dip or vacuum brazed exchangers that are often used for closed
loop applications. (Fraas., 2016)

Figure 4: Plate heat exchanger

2.3 Regenerative Heat Exchanger

In a regenerative heat exchanger, the same fluid is passed along both sides of the
exchanger, which can be either a plate heat exchanger or a shell and tube heat exchanger.
Because the fluid can get very hot, the exiting fluid is used to warm the incoming fluid,
maintaining a near constant temperature. A large amount of energy is saved in a
regenerative heat exchanger because the process is cyclical, with almost all relative heat
being transferred from the exiting fluid to the incoming fluid. To maintain a constant
temperature, only a little extra energy is need to raise and lower the overall fluid
temperature.

2.4Adiabatic Wheel Heat Exchanger

In this type of heat exchanger, an intermediate fluid is used to store heat, which is then
transferred to the opposite side of the exchanger unit. An adiabatic wheel consists of a

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large wheel with threads that rotate through the fluidsboth hot and coldto extract or
transfer heat.

2.5 Double pipe heat exchanger:

Double pipe heat transfer equipment which is named by its
construction because two pipes are fitted in such way that one pipe is
fitted into other inside space. By cross section they look concentric by
coaxial view. It is extended to the required length and bent like hair pin
shape at the edges to make it fit in particular area. Hot fluid is fed into
the inner tube and cold fluid is fed into the space between inner and
outer pipes.

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(Amin, 2005)

Advantages
Suited to high pressure applications.
Standardization, simplifies maintenance,
servicing and stocking of parts.
Flexibility, units can be added or removed as
required.

Disadvantages
Limited to low heat duties requiring surface
areas less than 47 m2
Flow pattern is strictly counterflow; there is no
cross flow.
As units are added on the possibility of leakage
increases because of the number of connections
increases.

Modular type construction.

Figure 5: Double pipe heat exchanger

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3.Bibliography
Amin, K. (2005). scribd. Retrieved from /www.scribd.com/:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/93197671/Double-Pipe-Heat-Exchanger
Fraas., A. P. (2016). thomasnet. Retrieved from www.thomasnet.com:
http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/process-equipment/heat-exchanger-types
Nedderman. (1985). Fluid Mechanics and Transfer Processes.
Sons, R. K. (2003). Fundamentals of Heat Exchanger Design.
Tsatsaronis, G. (2000). engineersedge. Retrieved from www.engineersedge.com:
http://www.engineersedge.com/heat_transfer/parallel_counter_flow_designs.htm
Woodford, C. (n.d.). Retrieved from explainthatstuff:
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-heat-exchangers-work.html

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