THERMODYNAMICS

T60D - Heat Exchange Study Unit

T60D/C with Optional Exchanger S4 (Code 950501) and S5 (Code 950502)

1. GeneraI
Didacta’s T60D study unit represents a basic tool for the understanding of the phenomena involved in the exchange of heat
and the technology of industrial type heat exchangers, through experimental measurements.
The unit is available in two versions:

T60D – Heat Exchange Study Unit (Code 950500)

T60D/C – Computerized Heat Exchange Study Unit (Code 950510)
The unit includes the following heat exchangers:
 S1 Water/air (liquid/gas) automatic radiator type exchanger;
 S2 Water/water (liquid/liquid) tube bundle type exchanger;
 S3 Water/water (liquid/liquid) double concentric tube type exchanger;
 S4 Optional: water/steam (liquid/steam) tube bundle type exchanger;
 S5 Optional: water/water (liquid/liquid) plate type exchanger.
All the exchangers are mounted in parallel and can be used separately, operating in equicurrent or counter-current
conditions, except from S1 and S4. The exchanger and its operating mode is by means of manual valves.
The system has an electric heater with an thermostat for the production of hot water. Cold water is taken from the water
mains.

DIDACTA Italia S.r.l. - Strada del Cascinotto, 139/30 - 10156 Torino - Italy
Tel. +39 011 2731708 - Fax +39 011 2733088 - http://www.didacta.it - E-mail: info@didacta.it
The bench is trolley mounted and is equipped with a front panel, featuring a silk-screen printed synoptic panel.
The unit is supplied with manuals that describe each component of the system, installation and utilization procedures and
many exercises with the relative results.
2. Composition
The system includes:
• T60D - code 950500 – complete with the hydraulic circuits, the pumps, the electrical equipment, the measuring
instruments and heat exchanger: S1, S2, S3;
• T60D/C - code 950510, as an alternative to the code 950500 - with the hydraulic circuits, the pumps, the electrical
equipment, the measuring instruments, the heat exchangers: S1, S2, S3, the electronic transducers kit, complete with
feeding and signal conditioning unit and A/D conversion board and the data acquisition and analysis software for
Windows;
• Optional code 950501: water/steam tube bundle type heat exchanger S4 with steam production boiler (code 951706);
• Optional code 950502: water/water plate type heat exchanger S5.
3. Description
Basic assembly - code 950500
Figure 1 shows the general synoptic panel of the study unit, including the optional heat exchangers.
Two centrifugal pumps, P1 and P2, originate a flow of hot water and cold water, respectively. The hot water is obtained by
means of electric heater HT fitted with a thermostat TIC.
A few valves make it possible to aim these flows towards one of the heat exchangers and to select either co-current or
counter current operation for S2, S3 and S5.
The hot and cold water flows can be measured by means of flow meters F1 and F2, whilst the pressure can be measured by
means of pressure gauges M1 and M2.
In addition to the flow of hot water, S1 also requires a flow of air created by fan VE. The air flow is measured by means of a
calibrated diaphragm DC and a differential micro-manometer Dl.
Another differential micro-manometer D2 makes it possible to measure the pressure drop of the air before and after heat
exchanger S1.
A U type mercury pressure gauge measures the pressure drop of the water before and after the heat exchangers, and it can
be connected to the different pressure sockets PM of the circuit, according to need.
A water collection tank TA, fitted with a thermometer TI, makes it possible to measure the temperature of the mixture of
output hot and cold water coming from the heat exchangers.
At significant points in the system, we have 12 thermoresistances Pt100 connected to a digital instrument contained in
electrical equipment E. The electrical equipment of the T60D unit has the function of powering and controlling the system’s
electrical components. In particular, it includes the switches and selectors to turn on and off the different electrical
components, the thermoregulator to set the temperature of the hot water, the digital display of the temperatures measured by
the Pt100 probes equipping the system.
The TIC thermoregulator (2) makes it possible to control the heater H by turning it off when the set temperature (set-point) is
reached.
The technical characteristics of the different heat exchangers are given in table 1.
Computerized basic assembly - code 950510
Figure 1 shows the general synoptic panel of the study unit, including the optional heat exchangers and the transducers
included in the automatic data acquisition system.
Two centrifugal pumps, P1 and P2, originate a flow of hot water and cold water, respectively. The hot water is obtained by
means of electric heater HT fitted with a thermostat TIC.
A few valves make it possible to aim these flows towards one of the heat exchangers and to select either co-current or
counter current operation for S2, S3 and S5.
The hot and cold water flows can be measured by means of flow meters F1 and F2 - and, correspondingly, by means of 2
turbine-type flow transducers TQ1 and TQ2, complete with signal converter - whilst the pressure can be measured by means
of pressure gauges M1 and M2.
In addition to the flow of hot water, S1 also requires a flow of air created by fan VE. The air flow is measured by means of a
calibrated diaphragm DC and a differential micro-manometer Dl.
Another differential micro-manometer D2 makes it possible to measure the pressure drop of the air before and after heat
exchanger S1.
A U type mercury pressure gauge measures the pressure drop of the water before and after the heat exchangers, and it can
be connected to the different pressure sockets PM of the circuit, according to need.
The differential pressure transducer TDP - complete with signal converter – allows to measure the pressure difference of the
selected section of circuit.
A water collection tank TA, fitted with a thermometer TI, makes it possible to measure the temperature of the mixture of
output hot and cold water coming from the heat exchangers.
At significant points in the system, we have 12 thermoresistances Pt100 connected to a digital instrument, complete with
signal converter, contained in electrical equipment E. The electrical equipment of the T60D unit has the function of powering
and controlling the system’s electrical components. In particular, it includes the switches and selectors to turn on and off the
different electrical components, the thermo regulator to set the temperature of the hot water and the digital display of the
temperatures measured by the Pt100 probes equipping the system, the signal conditioning unit and A/D conversion board.

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The TIC thermoregulator (2) makes it possible to control the heater H by turning it off when the set temperature (set-point) is
reached.
The technical characteristics of the different heat exchangers are given in table 1.
The data acquisition and analysis software runs in MS-Windows environment and is used to acquire data in real time, to
process and to file them. It allows to display or print out the parameters and diagrams obtained by the different exercises.
Besides, instead of automatically acquire data from transducers, it is possible to enter such data through the keyboard by
reading the values on the traditional instruments located on the equipment and using the processing and filing software. This
solution allows the independent use of the software without the transducers.
Heat exchanger S4 - Optional code 950501
The optional heat exchanger S4 (code 950501) (fig. 2) is assembled on a separated wheel-mounted frame, which can be
easily connected to the basic system.
In addition to the flow of cold water, the S4 also requires a flow of steam created by a small optional boiler CA (code
951706). It is also possible to feed the hot water circuit of the T60D unit with the hot water produced by S4, by cutting off the
electric heater H.
The water/steam exchanger is supplied with an additional cooling exchanger to condense the steam produced and an
accumulator HS for the hot water coming from the exchanger.
The module is connected to the main assembly through quick engagement hoses that are supplied as standard.

Fig. 2 – Optional exchanger S4 (Code 950501) Fig. 3 – Optional exchanger S5 (Code 950502)
Heat exchanger S5 - Optional code 950502
The S5 (code 950502) (fig. 3) consists of 10 plates with the possibility of expansion, made of AISl 316 steel. The S5 is fitted
to the frame of the basic module.
4. Experiments
S1 water/air heat exchanger
• Study of water/air heat transfer: measurement of the temperatures of the water and air at different points of the
exchanger, determination of the quantity of heat exchanged in either direction in unit time.
• Measurement of the pressure drop of water before and after S1 and study of its evolution as a function of water flow
rate.
• Measurement of the pressure drop of air before and after S1 and study of its evolution as a function of air flow rate.
S2, S3, S5 water/water exchangers
• Study of the water/water heat transfer in co-current conditions: measurement of the temperature of water at different
points of the exchanger, determination of the quantity of heat exchanged in either direction in unit time, measurement of
the final temperature of the cold and hot water mixture at the outlet of the heat exchanger and comparison with the
theoretical value (see fig. 4).
• Study of the water/water heat transfer in counter-current conditions: measurement of the temperature of water at
different points of the exchanger, determination of the quantity of heat exchanged in either direction in unit time,
measurement of the final temperature of the cold and hot water mixture at the outlet of the heat exchanger and
comparison with the theoretical value.
• Measurement of the pressure drop of hot water before and after the exchanger, and study of its evolution as a function
of the hot water flow rate.
• Measurement of the pressure drop of cold water before and after the exchanger, and study of its evolution as a function
of the cold water flow rate (see fig. 5).
• Comparison between the unit’s operation in co-current and counter-current mode.
• Comparison between the different heat exchangers.
Optional water/steam heat exchanger S4
• Study of the water/steam heat transfer: measurement of the temperature of water and steam at different points of the
exchanger, determination of the quantity of heat exchanged in either direction in unit time.
• Water pressure drop measurement before and after S4, and its evolution study as a function of the water flow rate.
• Measurement of the pressure drop of steam before and after S4, and study of its evolution as a function of the water
flow rate.
5. Required Services
 Electrical power supply: three-phase, 50/60 Hz, 8 kW
 Water supply: 1500 I/h - 3 bar
 Water discharge
 PC minimum Pentium with HD >10Gb, CD drive, graph card SVGA 800X600, mouse, 32MB RAM, USB port
 Windows XP or following
 Graphic printer
6. Weights and dimensions
Basic assembly
 Dimensions: 1950 x 950 x 1800 h mm
 Weight: 280 kg approx (290 kg with optional exchanger S5)
Optional exchanger S4
 Dimensions: 900 x 650 x 1550 h mm
 Weight: 60 kg

Fig. 4 – Heat transfer in S3 operating in co-current mode Fig. 5 – Cold water pressure drop in S3 as a function
of water flow
Table 1 – Exchangers technical features
Exchanger S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
Type Water/air – Water/water – tube Water/water – Water/steam – Water/water –
radiator type bundle type double concentric tube bundle type plate type
tube type
Material Aluminum body Anticorodal body – Steel body – Anticorodal body – Steel body – AISI
finned copper copper tubes finned copper 316 steel plates
tubes tubes
0.0317 m2 2
Exchange surface 0.3 m 0.3 m2 0.3 m2 0.37 m2
(frontal)
Physical data Fin pitch 1.05 mm No. 4 tubes No. 6 tubes No. 4 tubes No. 10 plates

Tube internal Internal diameter Tube internal Plate dimensions:

diameter: 15.875 of the warm water diameter: 15.875 138 x 448 mm
mm side tubes: 13 mm mm

Internal diameter
Tube length: 610 of the cold water Tube length: 610
mm side tubes: 27 mm mm

Tubes length: 430

mm

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 Fig. 1 – General Synoptic
P1 Hot water centrifugal pump
P2 Cold water centrifugal pump
M1 Hot water pressure gauge
M2 Cold water pressure gauge
M3 Steam pressure gauge (only with S4 – optional code 950501)
HT Hot water accumulator
H Hot water resistor type electric heater
TIC Hot water electronic thermostat
TMAX Max. hot water temperature safety thermostat
SA Water reservoir
LI Level indicator
CA Steam generating boiler (only with S4 – optional code 950501)
HS Hot water accumulator (only with S4 – optional code 950501)
BE Graduated collection tank for condensate water (only with S4 – optional code 950501)
S1 Radiator type water/air heat exchanger
S2 Tube bundle water/water exchanger
S3 Double concentric tube water/water exchanger
S4 Water/steam exchanger (S4 – optional code 950501)
S5 Plate type water/water exchanger (S5 – optional code 950502)
V1 Hot water circuit S1 selection valve
V2 Hot water circuit S2 selection valve
V3 Hot water circuit S3 selection valve
V4 Hot water circuit S4 selection or cut-off valve (only with S4 – optional code 950501)
V5 Hot water circuit S5 selection valve (only with S5 – optional code 950502)
VA2, VB2, VC2 Co-current or counter-current operation S2 selection valve
VA3. VB3. VC3 Co-current or counter-current operation S3 selection valve
VA4, VB4, VC4 Operating mode S4 selection valve (only with optional S4 code 950501)
VA5. VB5, VC5 Co-current or counter-current operation S5 selection valve (only with S5 – optional code 950502)
VD2, VD3, VD5 S2, S3 S5 exclusion valves
F1 Hot water flow meter
F2 Cold water flow meter
G1 Hot water flow manual control valve
G2 Cold water flow manual control valve
G3 Three-way hot water recirculation manual valve
TA Hot and cold water discharge tank
TI Discharge water thermometer
VE Variable speed fan for S1
DC Calibrated diaphragm for the measurement of air flow, for S1
D1 Differential micro-manometer for the measurement of air flow from DC
D2 Mercury differential manometer to measure air pressure drop in S1
U Mercury differential manometer to measure pressure drops in S1, S2, S3 and S5 exchangers
T1, T2... T12 Pt100 thermoresistances
T18, T19... T22 Bi-metallic thermometers for S4 (only with S4 – optional code 950501)
PM Pressure measurement tap
TQ1 Hot water flow rate (Q1) electronic transducer (only computerized version T60D/C – Code 950510)
TQ2 Cold water flow rate (Q2) electronic transducer (only computerized version T60D/C – Code 950510)
TDP Dp1 and Dp2 pressure difference electronic transducer (only computerized version T60D/C – Code
950510)
E Electrical equipment, containing the signal conditioning and A/D conversion unit (only computerized
version T60D/C – Code 950510)
PC Personal Computer (only computerized version T60D/C – Code 950510 – not supplied)

Cod. R00519/E 0210 Ed. 01 Rev. 02

In any time and without notice, Didacta Italia can carry out any appropriate modification on the product details, always
maintaining their main features, according to the designing and teaching necessity.