Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Change in heat energy in a fluid stream

q = UA(Tlm )

For parallel flow

For counter flow

T1

T2

T1

T2

T1

T2

T1

T2

where, Tlm is the log-mean temperature difference

Tlm =

T2 T1
T
ln 2
T1

T1 = T1 T1
T2 = T2 T2

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Example 1: Counter flow heat exchanger

1. Calculate the exit temperature of water.

A liquid food (specific heat 4.0 kJ/kg.C) flows in the

inner pipe of a double-pipe heat exchanger. The liquid
food enters the heat exchanger at 20C and exits at 60C.
The flow rate of the liquid food is 0.5 kg/s. In the annular
section, hot water at 90C enters the heat exchanger and
flows counter-currently at a flow rate of 1 kg/s. The
average specific heat of water is 4.18 kJ/(kg.C). Assume
steady-state conditions.

2. Calculate log-mean temperature difference.

3. If the average overall heat transfer coefficient is 2,000
W/m2.C and the diameter of the inner pipe is 5 cm,
calculate the length of the heat exchanger.
Answer: Te = 70.9C; Tlm = 39.5C; L = 6.45 m

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

T1

T2

T1

T2

cp, food = 4.0 kJ/kg.C

T2 = ?

T2 = 20C

mwater = 1 kg/s

T1 = 60C.

c. p, water = 4.18 kJ/kg.C

m. food = 0.5 kg/s

U = 2,000 W/m2.C

T1 = 90C

ID = 5 cm

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

1. Calculate the exit temperature of water.

q = m! H cpH (TH, inlet TH, outlet ) = m! C cpC (TC, outlet TC, inlet )

(1)(4.18)(90 T2 ) = (0.5)(4.0)(60 20)

(0.5)(4.0)(60 20)
(90 T2 ) =
4.18
(0.5)(4.0)(60 20)
T2 = 90
4.18
Exit temperature of water = 70.9C

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

2. Calculate log-mean temperature difference.

3. Calculate the length of the heat exchanger.

T1 = T1 T '1
T1 = 90 60
T1 = 30
T2 = T2 T '2

T2 = 70.9 20
T2 = 50.9

Tlm =

T2 T1
T
ln 2
T1

50.9 30
Tlm =
50.9
ln
30
Tlm = 39.5C

q = UATlm
q = U Di LTlm
L=

! p T
mc
U Di Tlm

(0.5)(4.0 10 3 )(60 20)

(2000)(3.142)(0.05)(39.5)
Length of exchanger = 6.45m
L=

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Repeat Example 1 for parallel-flow

configuration? What can you
conclude from two examples?

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

T1

T2

T1

T2

cp, food = 4.0 kJ/kg.C

T2 = ?

T2 = 60C

mwater = 1 kg/s

T1 = 20C.

c. p, water = 4.18 kJ/kg.C

m. food = 0.5 kg/s

U = 2,000 W/m2.C

T1 = 90C

ID = 5 cm

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

1. Calculate the exit temperature of water.

2. Calculate log-mean temperature difference.

q = m! H cpH (TH, inlet TH, outlet ) = m! C cpC (TC, outlet TC, inlet )

(1)(4.18)(90 T2 ) = (0.5)(4.0)(60 20)

(0.5)(4.0)(60 20)
(90 T2 ) =
4.18
(0.5)(4.0)(60 20)
T2 = 90
4.18
Exit temperature of water = 70.9C

T1 = T1 T '1
T1 = 90 20
T1 = 70
T2 = T2 T '2

T2 = 70.9 60
T2 = 10.9

Tlm =

T2 T1
T
ln 2
T1

10.9 70
10.9
ln
70
Tlm = 31.8C
Tlm =

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

Log-Mean Temperature Difference Method

3. Calculate the length of the heat exchanger.

Counter Flow

Parallel Flow

Exit Temperate of
Water

70.9C

70.9C

Tlm

39.5C

31.8C

Length of Heat
Exchanger

6.45 m

8.01 m

q = UATlm
q = U Di LTlm
! p T
mc
L=
U Di Tlm

(0.5)(4.0 10 3 )(60 20)

L=
(2000)(3.142)(0.05)(31.8)
Length of exchanger = 8.01 m