Experiment 9: Flow Influence in Heat Transfer

I.

Abstract

II.

Introduction

In this laboratory activity, we conduct an experiment on a heat transfer

apparatus available in the laboratory. The apparatus involve in this experiment
is a shell and tube type heat exchanger connected in a hot bath and a hydraulic
bench which supplies the hot and the cold fluid. We measure and gather the
temperature at several points of heat exchanger as measured by the Resistance
Temperature Detectors (RTD) equipped in the apparatus. We conduct 4 tests in
this experiment starting from a 55C up to 40C of temperature. After
gathering the temperatures at each points, we calculated the heat given by the
hot fluid (qh), the heat absorbed by the cold fluid (q c), the heat loss (ql) and the
Log Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD), the overall heat transfer
coefficient U, the hot and cold water velocity (), and the Reynolds number
(Re) of the two flowing medium. We conduct the experiment in only one
condition, the counter flow. After calculating the necessary data, we represent
the temperature distribution along the exchanger in that configuration using a
graph.

Heat exchangers are devices that utilizes heat transfer from a hot fluid to the
cold fluid. The two fluids can be of the same phase or in different phase. Two
types of heat exchanger are being utilized in different fields, the mixing type
and the non-mixing type. The difference between the two is that the nonmixing type are separated by a metal wall. The heat transfer takes place by
convection in each fluids and conduction through the walls. The flow in a heat
exchanger can be classify as parallel flow and counter flow. In parallel flow
type of heat exchanger, the flow of the
hot and cold fluid are in the same
direction while in the counter flow type,
the flows are in opposite direction.

The most common type of heat exchanger is

the shell-and-tube type. It utilizes a bundle of tubes
through which one of the fluids flows. These tubes
are enclosed in a shell with provisions for the other
fluid to flow through the spaces between the tubes.
In most designs of this type, the free fluid flows
roughly perpendicular to the tubes containing the

other fluid, in what is known as

a cross-flow exchange. In nuclear
reactors, fuel rods may replace the
tubes, and the cooling fluid
flowing around the rods removes
the heat generated by the fission
process.

The Reynolds number is an

experimental number used in fluid
flow to predict the flow velocity at which turbulence will occur. It is described as the
ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces.
In fluid mechanics, it is a criterion of whether fluid (liquid or gas) flow is absolutely
steady (streamlined, or laminar) or on the average steady with small unsteady fluctuations
(turbulent). Whenever the Reynolds number is less than about 2,000, flow in a pipe is
generally laminar, whereas, at values greater than 2,000, flow is usually turbulent.
Actually, the transition between laminar and turbulent flow occurs not at a specific value
of the Reynolds number but in a range usually beginning between 1,000 to 2,000 and
extending upward to between 3,000 and 5,000.

Formula for Computing Reynolds Number:

Where: = Density of fluid at a specific Temperature, kg/m3
V = velocity of fluid, m/s
D = Diameter of pipe, m
= Dynamic Viscosity, Pa-s
Note: Re < 2000, Laminar
2000 < Re < 4000,
Transitional
Re > 4000, Turbulent

III. Objectives

To study the hot water flow influence in the heat transfer in the exchanger
To calculate the velocity and Reynolds number associated to the motion of the fluid

Methodology
IV. Materials

V.

EDIBON TICTS shell and

tube heat exchanger the
apparatus to be tested equipped
with RTDs to measure the
temperature and a hot tank to
supply hot water.
Hydraulic bench a device that
supplies the cold water.

Procedures

1. Check that the valves are opened and that we have a countercurrent flow configuration.
2. Check that the heating tank is filled with water above the level switch.
3. Switch on the pump and the resistor (equipment supply).
4. Set the tank temperature to 55oC (ST16).
5. Fix the hot water flow and adjust the cold water flow until reaching stationary operation
conditions are met maintaining the temperature set for the tank constant.
6. Write down temperature and flow measurement on the experimental sheet.
7. Reduce the hot water flow while keeping the cold water flow constant.
8. Once the system is stable, write down temperature and flow measures on the experiment
sheet.
9. Repeat steps using three more temperature setups of ST-16: 50oC, 45 oC, and 40 oC.

10. Calculate the heat transferred by the fluid, the heat gained by the cold fluid and determine
the losses. Determine the logarithmic temperature mean difference, the global heat
transfer coefficient and the Reynolds number.

Safety measures:

Be careful in touching components that conduct heat.

Be sure of the countercurrent flow valve set up in order to avoid damage to
the equipment.
Make sure that the electrical wirings are safe from being spilled with water.
Do not horseplay while doing the experiment. The risk of getting into an
accident increases as one horseplay.
Do not forget to unplug the equipment after the experiment.

VI. Data and Results

Table 1. Raw Data

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

ST-16 (oC)

55

50

45

40

ST-1 (oC) (Tube inlet)

48

47

44

39

ST-2 (oC)(Tube outlet)

41

42

42

39

ST-3 (oC)(Shell outlet)

40

41

41

39

ST-4 (oC)

40

41

41

40

ST-5 (oC)

39

41

41

40

ST-6 (oC)

38

40

41

40

ST-7 (oC) (Shell inlet)

37

39

40

40

SC-1 (L/min)

1.8

1.65

1.75

1.8

SC-2 (L/min)

1.95

1.95

1.9

1.85

Table 2. Calculated Data

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

qh (W)

870.847

570.20

242.06

qc (W)

405.300

270.05

131.54

ql (W)

465.550

300.15

110.52

Tlm (K)

5.77

4.33

2.466

U (W/m2K)

570.318

497.68

370.97

h (m/s)

0.5968

0.5471

0.5803

0.5968

c (m/s)

1.8892 10 3

1.8892 10 3

1.8407 10 3

1.7923 10 3

Reh

8083.182

7410.035

7651.904

7313.670

Rec

413.090

436.432

429.149

414.126

Note:
Heat transferred by the hot water - (qh)
Heat absorbed by the cold water - (qc)
Heat losses - (ql)
Logarithmic temperatures mean difference between hot and cold water - (Tlm)
Global heat transfer coefficient - (U)

Hot and cold water velocity in the exchanger - (h, c)

Reynolds number for hot and cold water - (Reh, Rec)

Sample Calculations: Test 1

Solving for Qh:
Qh=Cp (ThTh out )
Qh=Q Cp ( ThTh out )

Qh= 990.42

Kg
L
1.8
3
min
m

)(

)(

1 m3
1000 L

)( 160mins ) ( 4841) ( 4.187 KgKj. K )

Therefore: Qh=0.870847 kW=870.847W

Solving for Qc:

Tc outTh
QC =Cp
Tc outTc
QC = Q Cp

QC = 992.82

Kg
L
1.95
3
min
m

)(

)(

1 m3
1000 L

)( 160mins ) ( 4037 ) (4.187 KgKj. K )

Therefore: QC =0.4053 kW =405.30W

Solving for QL:

QL =Q h QC =870.847 W 405.30 W
Therefore: QL =465.55W

Solving for Tlm:

T lm=

T 1 T 2
ln

T lm=

T1
T2

( )

84
8
ln
4

()

Where:
T 1=ThTc out=48 40 =8
T 2=Th outTc 41 37 =4

Therefore:
T lm=5.77

Solving for U:
Qh=UA T lm ; Di Tube = 8 mm ; 21 Tubes ; Ai Tube = 0.0126 m2 ; L = 0.5 m

U=

Qh
870.847W
=
A T lm (21)(0.0126 m 2 )(5.77 K )

W
Therefore: U=570.318 m2 . K

Solving for Vh:

1.8 m3
60000 s
Q
V h= =
A
2
( 0.008 m )
4

m
Therefore: V h=0.5968 s

Solving for VC:

1.95 m3
60000 s
Q
V C= =
A
2
( 0.148 m )
4

3 m
Therefore: V C =1.8892 10 s

Solving for Reh:

kg
m
990.42
0.5968 ) ( 0.008 m )
(
(
)
s
m
VD
=
=
3

Therefore:

0.000585 Pa. s

h =8083.182> 4000 :. Turbulent Flow

Solving for Rec:

kg
m
992.82
1.889210 3 ) ( 0.148 m )
(
(
)
s
m
VD
=
=
3

Therefore:

0.000672 Pa . s

C =413.09<2000 :. Laminar Flow

Graph of Parallel flow and Counter flow configuration

VII. Discussion
Analysis:
As we compute for the necessary values, we notice that the heat transferred by the hot
water is less than the heat absorbed by the cold water, which should not be the case. In
comparing the performance in two different conditions, the heat loss is higher in a
countercurrent flow conditions. On the comparison of the log mean temperature
difference, the data we gathered shows that the value in parallel flow condition is higher

than those in the counter flow. As we compare the heat absorbed by the cold water, the
counter flow condition got a 1kw of heat transfer rate which is much higher than that of
the parallel flow which only got a value of 700 W.

Accuracy:
As for the accuracy of our results, we conduct the experiment following the procedures
properly so we are confident enough that the data we gather are somehow precise and
accurate. Before getting the temperature, we make sure that it is stabilize. However, some
errors might occur as we proceed with the experiment. Some factors might be consider is
the leakages in the apparatus. We also notice that in the shell side the water doesnt fully
filled the shell. This might affected the heat transfer we got since not all the heat from the
hot water transfer in the cold water. Also, some particulates that are present in the water
might affect the values as well as the fouling that can be seen in the heat exchanger.

VIII. Conclusions
After all the data we gathered, we can conclude that the parallel flow
configuration of the shell and tube heat exchanger in the laboratory optimizes the heat
transfer. This is prove by the value of the heat loss between the two configurations. The
data shows that the parallel flow condition has less value of heat loss than the counter
flow. Also, the parallel flow conditions shows a higher amount of log mean temperature
difference. Therefore, the higher the LMTD, the higher the heat transfer rate is which
means that the LMTD is directly proportional to the heat transfer.
In the context of heat transfer, the heat transferred by a hot fluid should always be
higher than the heat absorbed by the cold fluid. But in our experiment, that thing does not
happened. Based on the data we gather, the heat given is lower than the heat absorbed.
Some errors might contribute for that to happen. Errors like having leakages in the
apparatus, fouling that are observed in the heat exchanger which affect the heat transfer
rate and human errors that affect the accuracy of the data gathered.
As we graph the temperature distribution along the heat exchanger in both
configurations, it seems that it validates what the theoretical graph has. Somehow, we
enable to figure out in the actual setup the knowledge we got in the lectures in heat
transfer. We see the actual operation happening in a heat exchanger specifically in a shell
and tube type. We also see in actual the parts of a typical heat exchanger as well as the
fouling that occurs in a heat exchanger.

IX. Supplementary Information

 Other types of heat exchangers

Plate type heat exchanger - it is an arrangement of plates side by side fixed along with
gaskets. Each plate will be having four opening ports, a gasket which is fitted between
two adjacent plates will make the fluid to flow between two ports by block remaining
ports. To imagine, a rectangle plate having four holes near at its edges and these are fixed
in such a way that gasket between plate makes enough room for fluid to flow and change
the direction of as required. This operates fluids in counter current wise for attaining
maximum heat exchange.
Advantages
Negligible heat loss
Overall weight of set is less
Fits in less space

Less maintenance cost and

Overall heat transfer coefficient
is more
Easy installation

Disadvantages:
Not compatible for higher temperature and pressure say above 200oC and 20 bars.

Application:
Used in oil cooling system in automobiles, steam condensations, swimming water
cooling systems, refrigeration systems.

Fin type heat exchanger - these are called as extended surface exchangers. It is used in
the conditions where when a process fluid is having very low heat transfer coefficient
when compared to other fluids because the overall heat transfer coefficient decreases
which affect the capacity of heat transfer by the available surface area so the area of
contact is to be increase. We come across this type of problem when heat transfer is dealt
with heating of air or gas streams and for cooling viscous liquids like engine oil.

Advantages:
Use to handle low heat transfer coefficient fluids
Used for cooling and heating of vast quantity of gases

Advantages:
Easy in construction
Can handle slurries
Can be used at low heat transfer areas
Cheap
Easy cleaning
Concurrent and counter current flow can be adjusted easily

Disadvantage:
Slurry fluids cannot be handled
Deposition of particle at fin corner
Cleaning difficulty
High pressure drop
Application: Used as economizers, automobile radiators, air cooled condensers
Tubular heat exchanger -It is a pipe in pipe heat exchanger commonly known as double
pipe heat transfer equipment which is named by its construction because two pipes are
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.

Disadvantages:
Leakage corners
Maintenance is time consuming
Occupy more floor space compared to others

Application: Used for refrigeration process in appliance like refrigerators, domestic

heating systems and car radiators etc.

References:

Heat exchanger. (2016). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/technology/heat-exchanger
Comparison between four types of heat exchangers (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.inclusive-science-engineering.com/comparison-between-four-types-ofheat-exchangers/