Experiment No: Parallel Flow and Counter Flow Heat Exchangers

OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the effectiveness of heat exchanger under parallel flow and counter
flow condition.
2. To determine the overall heat transfer coefficient of heat exchanger under
parallel flow and counter flow condition.
3. Theoretical estimation of overall heat transfer coefficient for the experiment
conditions.
4. Comparison of experimental and theoretical heat transfer coefficient.
5. Determine NTU (no. of transfer unit for outer surface) for parallel flow
and counter flow conditions.

THEORY
A double pipe heat exchanger consists of two concentric, different diameter tubes with fluid
flowing in each as indicated in Figures 1. If the two fluids travel in opposite directions as illustrated
in Figure 1a, the exchanger is a counter flow type. If the fluids travel in the same direction as shown
in Figure 1b, parallel flow exists. The same apparatus is used for either flow configuration.

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient (U):

The heat transfer in parallel and counter flow arrangement is given as;
𝑞 = 𝑈0 𝐴0 (∆𝑇)𝐿𝑀𝑇𝐷
Where, U0 is over all heat transfer coefficient, A0 is outer surface area of tube and (∆T)LMTD
is Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference.
𝑞
𝑈0,𝐸𝑥𝑝 = 𝐴 (∆𝑇)
0 𝐿𝑀𝑇𝐷

The heat exchange between the hot and cold water can be written as;
 𝑞ℎ = 𝑚̇ℎ,𝑤 𝐶𝑝,𝑤 (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇ℎ𝑜 )

𝑞𝑐 = 𝑚̇𝑐,𝑤 𝐶𝑝,𝑤 (𝑇𝑐𝑜 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 )

The average heat transfer can be written as;
𝑞ℎ + 𝑞𝑐
𝑞=
2

Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD):

Parallel Flow -
∆𝑇1 − ∆𝑇2
(∆𝑇)𝐿𝑀𝑇𝐷 =
∆𝑇
l n (∆𝑇1 )
2

∆T1 and ∆T2 are shown in figure 1.

Counter Flow -
∆𝑇1 − ∆𝑇2
(∆𝑇)𝐿𝑀𝑇𝐷 =
∆𝑇
l n (∆𝑇1 )
2

∆T1 and ∆T2 are shown in figure 1.

Effectiveness -
It is defined as the ration of actual heat transfer to maximum heat transfer that could be
possibly be transferred from one fluid to the other.
𝐶ℎ (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇ℎ𝑜 ) 𝐶𝑐 (𝑇𝑐𝑜 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 )
𝜀= =
𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 ) 𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 )

Effectiveness of parallel flow,

1 − exp[𝑁𝑇𝑈(1 + 𝐶𝑟 )]
𝜀=
1 + 𝐶𝑟
Effectiveness of counter flow,
(1 − exp[−𝑁𝑇𝑈(1 − 𝐶𝑟 ])
𝜀= (𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐶𝑟 < 1)
(1 − 𝐶𝑟 exp[−𝑁𝑇𝑈(1 − 𝐶𝑟 ])
𝑁𝑇𝑈
𝜀= (𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐶𝑟 = 1)
1 + 𝑁𝑇𝑈
𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑈𝐴
𝐶𝑟 = , 𝑁𝑇𝑈 =
𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛
Where, Ch, Cc, Cmin, Cr and NTU represent heat capacity of hot, cold, minimum heat capacity
of fluid, Heat capacity ratio and Number of transfer units respectively.
APPARATUS
Multi Heat Exchanger is setup for test and compare the different type of heat exchanger by
vary the different parameter and conditions. This setup is consists of two centrifugal pumps,
two flow meter, two SS water storage tank, Water Heater, Heat Exchangers ( Tube in Tube,
Plate Heat Exchanger, and Shell & tube Heat Exchanger ), and Control Panel. The
components arrangement and flow diagram of the setup is as shown in below figure.

Figure-1 Schematic Diagram of Multi Heat – Exchanger Test rig

Figure-2 Multi Heat – Exchanger Test rig

In the Tube in tube heat exchanger user can select two type of flow circulation one is parallel
flow and second is counter flow. The Heat transfer Area of the Tube in Tube, Plate and Shell
& Tube heat exchanger area 0.15 m2, 0.5 m2 & 0.3 m2. Details of the all Components as
given in the list of components.

As shown in the Schematic Diagram from 65 ltr storage tank (heater in hot tank) Pump
circulate the water to the Heat exchanges. Electromagnetic Flow meter is used for the
measurement of the flow. Pump-1 is circulating the Hot water to the heat exchanger and
Pump-2 Circulate the Cold Water. Water flow is fully controllable by the VFD providing in
the control panel. For the temperature measurement RTD-pt100 Temp. sensor used. Flow
path, Temperature sensors & valves location and numbers are as shown in the above detail
schematic diagram.

Figure-3 Concentric Tube Arrangements

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Sr.
Part name Detail / Technical specification
No
Hot & Cold Water  Capacity : 65 litres
1
Storage tanks  MOC : SS304
 Capacity : 3 kW
2 Water Heater
 MOC : SS316
 Make & Model : Lubi SMSJ 051
 Power : 0.5 HP/0.37 kW
Centrifugal pumps  Voltage : 415 V ( 3-phase )
3
(2 NOS)  Contact part : SS
 Head : 18 m
 Current : 1.5 amp max
  Make : Accumax
 Type : Electromagnetic
4 Flow meter (2 NOS)
 Range : 0-150 LPM
 Line size : 1/2”
 Heat Transfer Area : 0.15 m2
 Internal Tube Dia : 1”
 Internal Tube Material : Copper
 Internal tube Thickness : 1.5 mm
Tube in Tube Heat
5  Internal Tube Length : 1500 mm
Exchanger
 External Tube Dia : 2”
 External Tube Material : SS304
 External tube Thickness : 2 mm
 External Tube Length : 1500 mm
Temperature Sensor
6
( 17 NOS )  RTD pt-100 type

OPERATION PROCEDURE

• Ensure that all drains are off.

• Fill the Water tank.
• Connect system to main supply and switch on the system
• Switch on the main switch of the control panel
• Set the hot water temp. in the Temp. Controller
• Switch on the heater
• Open only bypass valve for water circulation in hot tank during heating (Close other
discharge valve of pump-1)
• Switch on the Pump-1 (hot tank pump)
• Wait until temp. achieve and then switch off the pump-1 ( Keep heater switch on )
• Now Select and Open the valves for the Circulation path in Heat exchanger for both Hot
and cold side (valves no. are given in the schematic diagram).
• After Open the valves, Switch on the both Pump-1 & 2.
• Now select the Pumps speed in the VFD controller
• Then press Run button in the VFD controller for both pumps.
• Temp. Data are seen and logged to the Data logger
• After completing the experiment; Switch off the Heater, Pump VFD, And Pump
switches ( Do not switch off the Main switch )
• Plug pen drive to the data logger and wait for 10-15 seconds.
• Remove Pen drive and store data to laptop or desktop.
• Switch off the Main switch
• Switch off the Main Supply
• Drain The System.
OBSERVATION TABLE
A. Parallel Flow
Hot Fluid Cold Fluid
Time Flow Flow
T2 T3 T4 T5 T10 T11 T12 T13
(Min) Rate Rate
(C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C)
(LPM) (LPM)
 B. Counter Flow
Hot Fluid Cold Fluid
Time Flow Flow
T2 T3 T4 T5 T10 T11 T12 T13
(Min) Rate Rate
(C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C)
(LPM) (LPM)
SHUTDOWN PROCEDURE
1. Turn off the electric heater.
2. Allow cold water to flow through electric geyser till its temperature
goes down to room temperature.
3. Turn off the main switch on the control panel.
4. Turn off the main switch and disconnect the test rig from the power supply.

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS: Reading No:________

A. Experimental value of Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient:

𝐶ℎ (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇ℎ𝑜 ) 𝐶𝑐 (𝑇𝑐𝑜 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 )
𝜀= =
𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 ) 𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 )
(1 − exp[−𝑁𝑇𝑈(1 − 𝐶𝑟 ])
𝜀= (𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐶𝑟 < 1)
(1 − 𝐶𝑟 exp[−𝑁𝑇𝑈(1 − 𝐶𝑟 ])
𝑁𝑇𝑈
𝜀= (𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐶𝑟 = 1)
1 + 𝑁𝑇𝑈
𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑈𝐴
𝐶𝑟 = , 𝑁𝑇𝑈 =
𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐶𝑚𝑖𝑛
∆𝑇1 − ∆𝑇2
(∆𝑇)𝐿𝑀𝑇𝐷 =
∆𝑇
l n (∆𝑇1 )
2
𝑞
𝑈0,𝐸𝑥𝑝 = 𝐴 (∆𝑇)
0 𝐿𝑀𝑇𝐷

𝑞ℎ = 𝑚̇ℎ,𝑤 𝐶𝑝,𝑤 (𝑇ℎ𝑖 − 𝑇ℎ𝑜 )

𝑞𝑐 = 𝑚̇𝑐,𝑤 𝐶𝑝,𝑤 (𝑇𝑐𝑜 − 𝑇𝑐𝑖 )

𝑞ℎ + 𝑞𝑐
𝑞=
2

B. Empirical value of Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient:

The heat transfer rate from hot fluid to cold fluid is given as;

∆𝐓
𝒒 = 𝐔𝐨 𝐀 𝐨 ∆𝐓 =
∑𝐑

Ignoring the resistance of wall of pipe

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= +
𝐔𝐨 𝐡𝐢 𝐡𝐨

For Internal Forced Convection through Tube (Hot fluid):

𝑵𝒖 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝑹𝒆𝟎.𝟖 𝑷𝒓𝟏/𝟑

And

𝒉𝒊 𝒅𝒊
𝑵𝒖 =
𝑲

For flow through annulus area (Cold fluid):

𝑵𝒖𝑫𝒉 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑𝑹𝒆𝟎.𝟖 𝑷𝒓𝟏/𝟑

Where Dh = do-di
RESULT TABLE
A. Parallel Flow
Time mh mc qh qc q U-Exp ε, U-th
LMTD NTU
(Min) (kg/s) (kg/s) (W) (W) (W) (W/m2K) Effectiveness (W/m2K)
 B. Counter Flow
Time mh mc qh qc q U-Exp ε, U-th
LMTD NTU
(Min) (kg/s) (kg/s) (W) (W) (W) (W/m2K) Effectiveness (W/m2K)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: (Discuss the results on following graphs)
1. Plot results of experimental value of Overall heat transfer vs Flow rate for both
parallel and counter flow
2. Plot results of theoretical and experimental value of Overall heat transfer vs Flow
rate for both parallel and counter flow
3. Plot results effectiveness vs Flow rate for both parallel and counter flow