There are two heat exchangers that can meet the heat transfer requirements of a facility. Both have the same pumping power requirements, the same useful life, and the same price tag. But one is heavier and larger in size. Under what conditions would you choose the smaller one?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Choose the smaller heat exchanger if there are space constraints, weight restrictions, transportation and handling cost considerations, plans for facility expansion or upgrades, or aesthetics and design considerations.

Step by step solution

01

Space Constraints

Choose the smaller heat exchanger if the facility has limited space or specific size restrictions. This would make the smaller heat exchanger a more fitting choice as it would require less space for installation and maintenance.
02

Weight Restrictions

Choose the smaller heat exchanger if there are weight restrictions in the facility, such as the need to minimize the load on the supporting structures. The smaller heat exchanger, being lighter in weight, puts less strain on the supporting structures, and can, therefore, be a better fit within a building with stringent weight limits.
03

Transportation and Handling

Choose the smaller heat exchanger if transportation and handling costs are a considerable factor within the project. The smaller, lighter weight exchanger is easier to transport, maneuver, and position, which can result in both time and cost savings.
04

Expansion or Upgrading Plans

Choose the smaller heat exchanger if the facility has plans for future expansion or upgrades that would require additional heat exchangers. A smaller heat exchanger would leave more space available for these new installations, potentially saving on costs and resources in the long term.
05

Aesthetics and Design Considerations

Choose the smaller heat exchanger if the appearance and design of the facility are important factors. A smaller heat exchanger may be less visually intrusive and may better blend into the overall design of the space, which could be important for facilities where aesthetic considerations play a significant role.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What does the effectiveness of a heat exchanger represent? Can effectiveness be greater than one? On what factors does the effectiveness of a heat exchanger depend?

Can the temperature of the hot fluid drop below the inlet temperature of the cold fluid at any location in a heat exchanger? Explain.

The radiator in an automobile is a cross-flow heat exchanger \(\left(U A_{s}=10 \mathrm{~kW} / \mathrm{K}\right)\) that uses air \(\left(c_{p}=1.00 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{kg} \cdot \mathrm{K}\right)\) to cool the engine-coolant fluid \(\left(c_{p}=4.00 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{kg} \cdot \mathrm{K}\right)\). The engine fan draws \(30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) air through this radiator at a rate of \(10 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{s}\) while the coolant pump circulates the engine coolant at a rate of \(5 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{s}\). The coolant enters this radiator at \(80^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Under these conditions, the effectiveness of the radiator is \(0.4\). Determine \((a)\) the outlet temperature of the air and (b) the rate of heat transfer between the two fluids.

The cardiovascular counter-current heat exchanger mechanism is to warm venous blood from \(28^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) to \(35^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) at a mass flow rate of \(2 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{s}\). The artery inflow temperature is \(37^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) at a mass flow rate of \(5 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{s}\). The average diameter of the vein is \(5 \mathrm{~cm}\) and the overall heat transfer coefficient is \(125 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m}^{2} \cdot \mathrm{K}\). Determine the overall blood vessel length needed to warm the venous blood to \(35^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) if the specific heat of both arterial and venous blood is constant and equal to \(3475 \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{kg} \cdot \mathrm{K}\).

A 1-shell-pass and 8-tube-passes heat exchanger is used to heat glycerin \(\left(c_{p}=0.60 \mathrm{Btu} / \mathrm{lbm} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\right)\) from \(65^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) to \(140^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) by hot water \(\left(c_{p}=1.0 \mathrm{Btu} / \mathrm{lbm} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\right)\) that enters the thinwalled \(0.5\)-in-diameter tubes at \(175^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) and leaves at \(120^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\). The total length of the tubes in the heat exchanger is \(500 \mathrm{ft}\). The convection heat transfer coefficient is \(4 \mathrm{Btu} / \mathrm{h} \cdot \mathrm{ft}^{2} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) on the glycerin (shell) side and \(50 \mathrm{Btu} / \mathrm{h} \cdot \mathrm{ft}^{2} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) on the water (tube) side. Determine the rate of heat transfer in the heat exchanger \((a)\) before any fouling occurs and \((b)\) after fouling with a fouling factor of \(0.002 \mathrm{~h} \cdot \mathrm{ft}^{2} \cdot{ }^{\circ} \mathrm{F} /\) Btu on the outer surfaces of the tubes.

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