Islamic University - Gaza

Faculty of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

EMEC 4116
Heat Transfer Laboratory

Experiment Report
Experiment Number

11

Experiment Title

The Effect of Varying Flow Rate

Date of Experiment

30/11/2014

Date of submission

14/1/2014

Student Name

Ahmed Taha El-Khatib

Student Number

120101920

Lab instructors

Dr. Mohammed Alnahhal

Engr. Hassan Zayed

Remarks

1. Aim
To show how different cold flow rates affect the performance of the heat exchanger in both parallel flow and
counter flow connection (hot flow rate and heater temperature are fixed).

2. Introduction:

Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360a):

Figure 5 The Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360a)

You need at least one of the optional heat exchangers to do experiments.
NOTE TecQuipment recommend that you buy this heat
exchanger first, because it has extra temperature measurement points.

This heat exchanger is a simple shell and tube heat exchanger. It has two tubes, one inside the
other. The outer tube is the shell. The inner tube carries the water from the hot circuit of the
Service Module, the other tube carries the water from the cold circuit. Heat transfers between
the two tubes. You may connect the water circuits to give contra-flow ( counter-flow) or parallel
flow experiments.
This heat exchanger is in two equal parts with extra thermocouples at the mid-point. This helps
students understand more clearly how the temperature changes along the heat exchanger.
A diagram in the middle of the heat exchanger bedplate shows students how to connect the heat
exchanger.

Counter Flow
Figure 6 How the Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360a) Works

Plate Heat Exchanger (TD360b):

Figure 7 The Plate Heat Exchanger (TD360b)

This heat exchanger is compact and efficient. This makes it good for applications with limited
space. Invented in 1923 by Richard Seligman, it is layers of metal plates separated by gaskets
(or spacers). The plates and gaskets have holes, so the hot and cold water circuits pass
alternately through the plates. The circuits are completely separate but heat transfers between
them through the metal plates. Figure 8 shows how it works when connected for parallel and
counter flow.

Hot in

Hot in

Hot out

Cold in

Cold out

Hot out

Cold out

Cold Water

Cold in

Cold Water

Hot Water

Hot Water

Cold Water

Cold Water

Hot Water

Hot Water

Cold Water

Cold Water

Parallel Flow

Counter Flow

Figure 8 How the Plate Heat Exchanger (TD360b) Works

The size and amount of plates determines the performance of this heat exchanger. More plates
give more heat transfer area, but increased flow resistance. The plates of commercial plate
heat exchangers have chevron shapes pressed into their surface, to increase their surface area
and disturb the flow for better heat transfer. TecQuipments plates have small flow disturbers
to do a similar job (see Figure 9).
A diagram on the heat exchanger bedplate shows students how to connect the heat exchanger.

Commercial Plates
with Chevron
style indentations

TQs plates with

flow disturbers

Figure 9 Chevrons and Flow Disturbers

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360c):

Figure 10 The Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360c)

This is the most common heat exchanger used in many industries, especially oil refineries and
chemical plants. It is compact and can work at high pressures. It is a large tube (shell) that
surrounds several smaller tubes (a bundle). One water circuit passes through the bundle and
the other passes through the shell. Heat transfers between them. The bundle has baffles to
help create a turbulent (mixed) flow in the shell.A diagram on the heat exchanger bedplate
shows students how to connect the heat exchanger.
Cold in

Cold out

Baffles
Parallel Flow
Hot in

Hot out

Shell
Tubes (bundle)

Cold out

Cold in

Counter Flow
Hot in

Hot out

Figure 11 How the Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360c) Works
Notation, Useful Equations and Theory:
5

Flow Conversion:

The Service Module measures flow in litres per minute (L.min-1), but your calculations need
flow in cubic metres per second (m3.s-1).
10 L.min-1 = 0.0001667 m3.s-1

Average Temperatures in Heat Exchangers:

Cold in

Cold out
TC2

TC1
Average cold temperature TC

Hot in
TH1

Hot out
TH2

Average hot temperature TH

Figure 19 Average Temperatures in Heat Exchangers

For most heat transfer equations, and calculations of specific heat capacity and density of
water, you must find the average temperature for the hot and cold circuits in your heat
exchanger. This is the calculated value of the temperature at a mid-point between the inlet and
outlet of
the circuit (see Figure 19).

NOTE The Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger (TD360a) has

thermocouples at its mid-point to measure this value for you.

To find the average temperature of the cold circuit:

To find the average temperature of the cold circuit:

Useful Equations:
Heat Capacity (C):
This is a measure of the heat needed to increase the temperature of a given mass of material
by 1 degree ( Kelvin or Celsius ).
It is a product of the mass of a material (m) and its specific heat capacity (c).

Specific Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure (cp):

Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of exactly
1 kg of material by 1 degree (Celsius). It is a ratio of the change in heat energy and the change
in temperature.

Pressure and temperature affects specific heat capacity, so equation 5 assumes constant
pressure over a known range of temperature. It is the isobaric (equal pressure) specific heat
capacity.

You may use Figure 20 to find the specific heat capacity for your mean water temperature.
Alternatively, Equation 6 (based on data from tests) will give you an accurate answer (where
your temperature T is in Celsius):

From tests,

the specific heat capacity of water at 15C is 4185.5 J.kg-1.K-1

NOTE you must use the mean (or average)

temperature of your flow circuit in this equation.

Specific Heat Capacity of Water at Constant Pressure

Water Temperature (Celsius)

Figure 20 Specific Heat Capacity of Water at Constant Pressure

Density (r) :
As water temperature changes, its density changes slightly. Its maximum density is at
approximately 4 degrees Celsius and decreases as its temperature increases or decreases from
this value. This affects all your calculations. You can use Figure 21 to find water density for
your water temperature, for a unit mass and a constant pressure. Alternatively, Equation 7
shows you how to accurately calculate it (where T is your water temperature in degrees
centigrade).

NOTE

You must use the average temperature of your flow circuit in this equation.
9

Water Density

Water temperature (C)

Figure 21 Water Density

Heat Transfer, Energy Balance and Efficiencies:

In heat exchangers, heat transfers or flows from the hot water circuit to the cold water
circuit.
The heat transfer rate is a function of the fluid mass flow rate, the temperature change and the
specific heat capacity of the fluid (at mean temperature).

In an ideal heat exchanger, that does not lose or absorb heat from its surroundings, the cool
fluid absorbs all the heat from the hot fluid. So the heat transfer rate is:

Rearranged for volumetric

flow gives:

10

Cold out

Cold in

Hot in

Hot out

System Boundary

Figure 22 System Boundary

To better understand the heat transfer in a heat exchanger, you must assume it is a system with
the hot and cold water flows as its input and outputs (see Figure 22).
As mentioned earlier, there is no heat transfer across the system boundary in an ideal heat
exchanger. But, in reality the hot and cold fluids are usually at different temperatures to the
surroundings, so some heat transfers across the system boundary. For example, the heat from
a warm room would transfer to the cold fluid. Figure 23 shows the input, outputs and losses in
diagram form as relative quantities.

Ideal Heat Exchanger

Hot in

Hot out

Cold in

Cold out

System Boundary

Heat loss to
surroundings

Hot in

Hot out

Cold in

Cold out

Real Heat Exchanger

Heat in from

Surroundings
Figure 23 Ideal and Real Heat Exchangers

11

The energy balance coefficient (CEB) shows the relationship between the energy absorbed and

emitted, where:
But, as shown, because of the possible heat flow into or out of the system, the energy balance
coefficient can give answers of greater than 1 if the heat exchanger absorbs energy from its
surroundings. So, it is only for guidance, because, in reality:

The mean temperature efficiency and heat transfer coefficient give more useful results for
comparison between heat exchangers.
The temperature efficiency of the hot circuit of the Heat Exchanger is the ratio of the
temperature change in the hot circuit, divided by the difference between the maximum and
minimum temperatures of the hot and cold circuits:

The temperature efficiency of the cold circuit of the Heat Exchanger is the ratio of the
temperature change in the cold circuit, divided by the difference between the maximum and
minimum temperatures of the hot and cold circuits:

The mean temperature efficiency of the two circuits is the average efficiency of them both:

Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD):

This is a measure of the heat driving force that creates the heat transfer. It is a logarithmic
average of the temperature difference between the hot and cold circuits at each end of the heat
exchanger.

12

Heat Transfer Coefficient (U):

This is the overall heat transfer coefficient for the wall and boundary layers. It is a measure of
how well the heat exchanger works. A good heat exchanger will give a high coefficient,
therefore this value is important to engineers.

3. PROCEDURE:
a. PARALLEL FLOW
Connect and set up your heat exchanger as shown in To Fit a Heat Exchanger on
page 27. Connect for parallel flow and a heater tank temperature of 60 C.
1.

Heat Exchanger Connection

Service Module
Connections

TH1 Hot In

TH1 and Hot Supply

TH2 Hot Out

TH2 and Hot Return

TH3 (only on the TD360a)

TH3

TC1 Cold In (swap with TC2 for

counter flow)

TC1 and Cold Supply

TC2 Cold Out (swap with TC1 for

counter flow)

TC2 and Cold Return

TC3 (only on the TD360a)

TC3

Table 2 Heat Exchanger Connections

13

Create a blank results table, similar to Table 3. If you have VDAS, in the top left of the
layout, select the correct heat exchanger. The software will create a table for you
automatically when you start taking readings.
2.

3.

Use an accurate thermometer to check the local ambient air temperature for reference.

For the first test, use the hand operated flow control valves to set the hot and cold flow
rates as shown for Test 1 in Table 3. Allow at least five minutes for the heat exchanger
temperatures to stabilize.
4.

5.

Record the hot and cold circuit temperatures.

6.

Repeat the procedure for flow rates as shown in the table for tests 2, 3 and 4.

14

15

b. COUNTER FLOW
Reconnect the heat exchanger for counter flow and repeat procedure 1.

4. Results Analysis:
Use the input and output temperatures (TH1, TH2, TC1 and TC2) to create simple temperature charts
for each flow, similar to Figure 29. Note that the results for parallel flow and counter flow
will be different.

Parallel Flow

Counter Flow

Flow direction
TH1

TH3

TH1

Only if you have

the TD360a

TC3
TC2

TH2

Only if you have

the TD360a

TC3
TC1

TH3

TH2

Position

TC1

TC2

Position
Figure 29 Simple Temperature Charts

Find the change in temperature (DT) for each circuit and the average temperature for each
circuit.

Convert your flow rates from L.min-1 to m3.s-1.

Use the charts or the equations in the theory section to calculate the water density for the hot
and cold water circuits (rH and rC) at each flow rate and the specific heat capacity for each
circuit at each flow rate.
Calculate the heat emitted, heat absorbed, mean temperature efficiencies and energy balance
coefficient of the parallel-flow and counter-flow systems for all flow rates. Create charts of
energy balance coefficient (vertical axis) against cold flow rate (horizontal axis). Find the
LMTD and use this to calculate the heat transfer coefficient (U) for each flow. From your
results, comment on how the flow rate affects the heat exchanger performance.
If you have more than one heat exchanger, compare the heat transfer coefficients of your heat
exchangers for any given flow rate.

16

Parallel
Counter
3
3
3
3
Hot flow(L/min)
3
1.5
3
1.5
Cold flow(L/min)
5E-05
5E-05
5E-05
5E-05
Hot flow (m3/s)
5E-05
2.5E-05
5E-05
2.5E-05
Cold flow(m3/s)
61
62
60.7
61.9
TH 1
55.8
59
55.5
58.9
TH 2
5.2
3
5.2
3
Delta TH
58.4
60.5
58.1
60.4
ava TH
58
60.8
58.3
60.4
TH 3
23
23.6
23.9
23.8
Tc1
28
35.4
32.8
29.8
Tc2
5
11.8
8.9
6
Delta Tc
25.5
29.5
28.35
26.8
ava Tc
26
30.1
26.3
29
Tc3
14%
8%
14%
8%
H
13%
31%
24%
16%
c
984.20
982.77
984.05
982.97
H
996.78
995.61
996.70
995.94
c
4183.25 4184.47 4183.38 4184.29
CpH
4179.00 4178.19 4178.92 4178.34
Cpc
1070.67
616.98 1070.54
617.08
QH = Qe
1041.59 1227.40 1853.84
624.33
QC = Qa
13%
19%
19%
12%

149.38 102.4808 98.86951 170.4854

LMTD
7.16743 6.02042 10.82782 3.619551
U

Parallel Heat Exchange

Temperaure ( C)

70
60
50
40
30

TH

20

TC

10
0
0

0.5

1.5

Position (cm)

17

2.5

3.5

Counter Heat Exchange

70

Temperaure ( C)

60
50
40
30

TH

20

TC

10
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

Position (cm)

5. Conclusion:
Our result had been almost similar to the best results, but we have some error as a result of reasons listed
below:
The cooling system which we use doesnt work effectively.

The condition of use which the instrument was prepared according to it is not the same condition we

have in our lab.

The Cold flow sensor is broken and record wrong readings.

18