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written by: Harlan Bengtson edited by: Lamar Stonecypher updated: 10/6/2010
Heat exchanger theory leads to the heat exchanger design equation that relates the overall heat
transfer coefficient, heat transfer surface area, and log mean temperature difference to the rate of
heat transfer. This heat exchanger design equation is used to find the area needed for heat
exchangers.
Introduction
The heat exchanger design equation can be used to calculate the required heat transfer surface area
for a variety of specified fluids, inlet and outlet temperatures and types and configurations of heat
exchangers, including counterflow or parallel flow. A value is needed for the overall heat transfer
coefficient for the given heat exchanger, fluids, and temperatures. Heat exchanger calculations could
be made for the required heat transfer area, or the rate of heat transfer for a heat exchanger of given
area.
The driving force for any heat transfer process is a temperature difference. For
heat exchangers, there are two fluids involved, with the temperatures of both changing as they pass
ranges of U values for various heat exchanger/fluid combinations are available in textbooks,
handbooks and on websites. A sampling is given in the table at the right for shell and tube heat
exchangers:
Summary
Preliminary heat exchanger design to estimate the required heat exchanger surface area can be done
using the basic heat exchanger equation, Q = U A Tlm, if values are known or can be estimated for Q,
U and Tlm. Heat exchanger theory tells us that Tlm is the right average temperature difference to use.
For example preliminary heat exchanger design calculations, see the article, "Preliminary Heat
Exchanger Design Example."
For Excel spreadsheet templates that can be downloaded to make preliminary heat exchanger design
calculations, see the article: "Excel Spreadsheet Templates for Preliminary Heat Exchanger Design."