Title

Double Pipe Heat Exchanger Experiment

Abstract
The purpose of the double pipe heat exchanger experiment was to show that the
experimental data matches theoretical models for heat transfer coefficients as well as compare
the effect co-current and counter-current flows have on the heat transfer. This was done by
varying the flow rates of hot and cold water through six heat exchangers and recording the
temperatures at different points throughout the apparatus. This was done for both co-current and
counter-current flows. It was found that the experimental heat transfer coefficients were larger
than, but close to what the model predicted. It also shows that co-current and counter-current are
very similar at low cold-water flow rates but counter-current has a higher heat transfer
coefficient at higher cold-water flow rates. Since the model was somewhat supported, the models
are a good estimation of the heat transfer coefficient. The experiment showed that film
dominates the heat transfer coefficient, as opposed to the wall.
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to compare experimental heat transfer coefficients
for six different heat exchangers to theoretical models. The experiment also shows the effects of
co-current and counter current flows. The experiment consisted of collecting temperature data for
both co-current and counter current flows with varying hot and cold water flow rates.
The equations we are using to compare are and the heat
1 Ao ro ri Ao 1

Uo Ai hi kALM ho

transfer equation . These equations show that the heat

transfer coefficient is also dependent on the area, temperature, and the thermal conductivity of
the pipe. The heat transfer coefficients from the experimental data should match those from the
model.

Methods

Figure 1: Flow Meters

Figure 1 shows the flow meters for the hot and cold water. The flow meters allow for the control
of the amount of water running through the pipes. The flow can be changed by turning the dial
on the flow meter. The proper way to read a flow meter is by looking at the widest part. The flow
rate for every trial was recorded. Low, medium, and high cold-water flow rates were tested for
three different hot-water flow rates for both co-current and counter-current systems.

Figure 2: Overview

Figure 2 is an overview of the pipes and the flow of the hot and cold water. The water starts at
the top and works it way down passing through six heat exchangers. The yellow levers control
the flow. If they are in the in horizontal position, the valve is open. If they are in the vertical
position, the valve is closed. The different pipe sizes throughout the apparatus were recorded.

Figure 3: Flow Lever

Figure 3 shows the lever that controls the cold-water flow. When the lever is in this position, it is
in counter current flow. If the lever is pulled to the right, it changes to co-current flow.
 Figure 4: Computer Analysis

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the water temperatures at different stages of the apparatus. It is
used to find the temperature changes due to the cooling off from the cold water and heating from
the heat exchangers. The temperatures throughout the diagram were recorded for each different
flow rate.

Figure 5: Temperature Graph

Figure 5 shows the temperature change over time. This is important because the water needs to
be in steady state. When there is no change in temperature and all the lines are flat, the heat
exchanger is in steady state and the data can be recorded.
 Results

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficients

Ideal
Counter-Current Tube
Counter-Current Shell
Co-Current Tube
Co-Current Shell

Figure 6: Plot of Experimental and Model Heat Transfer Coefficients

Figure 6 demonstrates that the experimental heat transfer coefficients are greater than that of the
model. It is also important to note that the majority of the data points lay under the line of
ideality. The data points that are above the line of ideality are all co-current points except for one.

The equation used to solve for heat was:

(1)
Where Q is heat transfer rate, J/sec, m is the mass flow rate, kg/sec, c is the heat capacity, J/K,
TH
and is the change is temperature, K.
The equation used to solve for the heat transfer coefficient:
(2)
Q UATLM

Where is the heat transfer rate, J/sec, is the heat transfer coefficient, W/(m2 K), is the heat
Q U A

transfer area, m2, and is the log-mean temperature difference, K. Equation 3 shows how
TLM

is calculated.
TLM

T1 T2
TLM
T1
ln
T2
(3)
T1
Where is the log-mean temperature difference, K, is the difference between hot water
TLM

T2
temperature and cold water temperature at the inlet, K, and is the difference between hot
water temperature and cold water temperature at the outlet, K.

Equations 1-3 are used to solve for the heat transfer coefficient model. First solving for log-mean
temperature difference and heat transfer. Then using those values to solve for the heat transfer
coefficient in equation 2.

1 A r r A 1
o o i o
Uo Ai hi kALM ho
(4)

Where U is the heat transfer coefficient, W/m2C, A is the area at the inlet or outlet, m2, k is the
thermal conductivity of pipe wall, W/mC, ALM is the log mean area, m2, r is the radius at either
the inlet or outlet, m, and h is the film heat transfer coefficient at either the inlet or outlet,
W/m2C. Equation 5 shows how h is calculated.

vi0.8
hi 1429 1 0.0146T
Di0.2
(5)
Where h is the film heat transfer coefficient, W/m2C, T is the average temperature, C, v is the
velocity, m/s, and D is the diameter, m.
Log-mean area is calculated like log-mean temperature difference, but instead of the temperature
at the inlet and outlet, the areas are used.

To calculate the heat transfer coefficient, the h values at the outlet and inlet, the area at the outlet
and inlet, and the log-mean area were calculated. Additionally, the thermal conductivity was
found in literature. This is where experimental data was used to find the heat transfer coefficient.

Cold Flow = 3 gal/min (All Heat Exchangers)

Counter-Current
Linear (Counter-Current)
Co-Current
Linear (Co-Current)

Figure 7: Plot Comparing Co-Current and Counter-Current Heat Transfers at High Cold
Water Flow Rate

Figure 7 reveals that at higher flow rates, counter-current provides a higher heat transfer
coefficient. The overall heat transfer is higher for counter-current than co-current. Counter-
current heat transfer increases a lot more rapidly when the hot water flow rate increases than co-
current does.
 Cold Flow = 1.25-1.3 gal/min (All Heat Exchangers)

Counter-Current (1.3 gpm)

Linear (Counter-Current
(1.3 gpm))
Co-Current (1.25 gpm)
Linear (Co-Current (1.25
gpm))

Figure 8: Plot comparing Co-Current and Counter-Current Heat Transfer at Low Cold
Water Flow Rate

Figure 8 shows that at low cold-water flow rates, the heat transfer values are very similar
between co-current and counter-current. This means that the heat transfer coefficients are
virtually the same for low cold-water flow rates because the film, not the wall, dominates the
heat transfer coefficient. The higher the hot water flow rate, the more similar counter-current and
co-current heat transfer coefficients become.

Discussion
The experimental heat transfer coefficient was similar but a little larger than what was predicted
by the model. Counter-current was more beneficial at higher flow rates but was very similar to
co-current at low flow rates in terms of heat transfer. This means that the film, not the wall,
dominates heat transfer.

In the experiment the same low, medium and high values were not maintained for all of the flow
rates. This made the data a little more difficult to compare because it was being compared at
different values. The only change that could be made to possibly improve the lab would be to
gather more data points. Instead of just three different hot and cold flow rates for co-current and
counter-current systems, it would be better to get four or five to have a better grasp of the effects
of changing the flow rates.