EG2010 P2 pressure Lab

Theory
COMPARISON BETWEEN PARALLEL FLOW AND COUNTER FLOW HEAT
EXCHANGER

Figure 3

The heat exchanger that had the possibility of functioning in two separate ways, with four
valves controlling the flow direction in the heat exchanger, as shown in picture 1. In this
experiment the counter flow heat exchanger was analyzed, with valves 2 and 3 open and 1
and 4 closed, but a short discussion about the two systems will help to better understand the
differences, the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.
First of all the differences between parallel flow and counter flow are shown on the graphs
below:

EG2010 P2 pressure Lab

The main thing that can be seen is the difference of exit temperature of the cold fluid.
In the counter flow exchanger it's possible to reach a final temperature of the cold fluid
higher than the final temperature of the hot fluid, that's because the fluids will never converge
to the equilibrium temperature, which could theoretically be reached in the parallel exchanger
with enough contact between the two liquids. So if a higher heat exchange is required the
counter flow exchanger is more efficient and effective.
Although the counter flow heat exchanger is more efficient and can cool the fluid down more
than the parallel flow over a longer contact distance, the parallel heat exchange system has
advantages such as being able to cool the fluid faster at the initial phase of contact due to a
greater T at the entry point between the fluids. This may be advantages in certain
requirements in which a large overall drop in temperature is not needed but a fast initial drop
is.

Flow measurement air

The equation below gives the mass flow rate of air through the nozzle, which is situated
before the heat exchanger. This nozzle increases the velocity of air, thus increasing the mass
flow rate. This is given in the BS1571 pt2.

(Eq 1)

the temperature downstream of the nozzle (K)

gh =differential pressure across the nozzle (Pa)

EG2010 P2 pressure Lab

Absolute pressure downstream of the nozzlegh+atmospheric pressure=gh (Pa)

Flow measurement water
The Mass flow rate of water is simply measured by catching the exiting water in a beaker and
recording the time, the water is then weighed. The units of mass flow rate is mass of time,
hence to calculate the mass flow rate the mass of the water in Kilograms is divided by the
number of seconds it took to collect the water giving Kg/s.
Heat transfer rates
( (

))

The steady flow energy equation as seen above is used to calculate the heat transfer rates.
That is the energy lost by the air and the energy gained by the water.
=mass flow rate
h=enthalpy
c=velocity
gz=potential energy
Q=rate of heat transfer
W=rate of work transfer
However for these equations the work done (W) is zero, gz is zero, and c is zero,
Leaving only Q=

) (Eq 2)

This equation can be applied to both the water and the air to give the rate of heat transfer rate
between the air and the water in watts. it is assumed that the exchange is 100% efficient
however this is not the case as shown in the calculations in results for the measured values
taken from the heat exchanger, heat is lost to the atmosphere as well as to the instrument.
Film heat transfer coefficient (air to tube)
=

ALMTD (Eq 3)

EG2010 P2 pressure Lab

A=surface area of tube through which heat is transferred

LMTD=log mean temperature difference, this is the average temperature difference between
the air and the wall and is required because the temperature varies at any given point along
the system.
This formula is important, it allows the coefficient of the heat transfer between to fluids of
different temperature and a certain surface area to be calculated.
This formula is equated using the measured values taken from the heat exchanger.
Correlation of heat transfer
(Eq 4)

where

Nusselts number

h = the film heat transfer coefficient

d=equivalent diameter of air annulus
k=thermal conductivity of fluid
This formula can be rearranged to find the film heat transfer coefficient, using a calculated
analytical method rather than a measured practical answer. The h value can be compared to
the film heat transfer found using the log mean temperature difference.
using dimensional analysis and similarity techniques it may be shown that for heat transfer
in horizontal pipes of circular cross section when the flow is turbulent, data may be correlated
using the equation (Eastop & McConkey)
Within a heat exchanger Nusselts number is the ratio between conductive and convective heat
transfer between the boundaries of the two fluids. In this case the piping of the air annulus
which seperates the two fluids. It is a dimensionless number as it is simply a ratio. It looks at
the ratio of the conduction currents which are given off by a first fluid and then create
convection currents heating a second fluid.

EG2010 P2 pressure Lab

The temperature exchange done by these two fluids is a forced convection heat exchange, the
hot air gives of heat energy to the outer edge of the air annulus which in turn passes that
energy to the water being forced along the pipe in a counter flow direction to the air. In this
instance both conduction and fluid motion are working to cool the air inside the annulus. As
the water heats up from the heat new water is pushed in its place, cooling the annulus at a
very fast rate.
Ideally the energy lost by the air will be represented by the energy gained by the water, we
will in this experiment be able to see if this is true. We will be able to determine if this
system is 100% efficient with its insulation or if energy is lost to the atmosphere and to the
instrument pipe running inside the air annulus.