Applications of Performance Tables on Steady State Analysis of Multipass Parallel Cross Flow Heat Exchanger

Abstract

In this paper, steady state sensible performance analysis on multi pass parallel cross flow exchanger was considered. The inputs to the heat exchanger were described through meaningful physically significant parameters such as number of transfer units, capacity rate ratio and dimensionless input temperature. The inputs to the heat exchager were varied systematically and a parametric study was conducted to determine the thermal performance at each individual pass of the heat exchanger. Heat exchanger’s thermal performance was described through the discharge temperatures that were expressed in a dimensionless form. The results from the study were presented in the form of performance tables. The performance tables employed meaningful and industry recognized dimensionless input parameters and the heat exchanger‘s performance was described through dimensionless discharge temperatures at every pass of the heat exchanger. The developed performance tables shall serve two critical aspects. First, it will help the heat exchanger designers to readily choose an optimum heat exchanger. An undersized heat exchanger shall not deliver the requirements and likewise an oversized heat exchanger shall add unnecessary weight and cost. This aspect was clearly observed in this study as indefinetly increasing the number of transfer units (or surface area) beyond a threshold value didn’t enhance the heat transfer. By employing the performance tables as a guide, the heat exchanger designers can quickly ascertain the performance of the heat exchanger without having to perform simulations and/or lengthy calculations. Second, during operational phase of the heat exchanger, the performance tables can be used to understand the performance variation of the heat exchanger with respect to mass flow rates and/or can help the engineers to choose appropriate mass flow rates for the required heat transfer. The highest heat exchanger performance was observed at the lowest capacity rate ratio and likewise the lowest heat exchanger performance was observed at the highest capacity rate ratio. In-addition, during the operational phase, the performance tables can help to detect an underperforming heat exchanger and can help the engineers to schedule maintenance activity on the heat exchanger equipment.