Heat Exchanger Basics

Heat exchangers are typically used to transfer heat between fluids using conduction, convection, and radiation. This course details the three heat transferring methods used by heat exchangers as well as how heat exchangers are classified. It also illustrates common heat exchangers types such as shell-and-tube, plate, extended surface, and regenerative heat exchangers.

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Course Details

Learning Objectives


• Describe the purpose of heat exchangers
• Differentiate between co-current and counter-current flow arrangements
• List some variables which affect heat transfer
• Describe the construction of a typical heat exchanger
• Describe different exchanger types and their strengths

Specs

Course Level Intermediate
Languages English, Portuguese, French, Polish, Russian
Compatibility Audio, Video
Based on: Industry Standards and Best Practices

Vector Solutions

Author

With over two decades of experience designing advanced 3D animated courseware and developing our proprietary learning management software, we pride ourselves by having developed over 1,000 safety and operations training modules, which have helped train over 250,000 workers worldwide. Our highly experienced team provides the industry with a simple and high-quality means of training their workforce. Whether your team consists of 25 people or an enterprise with thousands, we’re here to help.

Key Questions

What is a heat exchanger?
Heat exchangers are typically used to transfer heat between fluids, and their theory of operation is based on the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

What is the definition of heat transfer?
Heat transfer is defined as the transmission of energy from one region to another as a result of a temperature difference between them.

How are heat exchangers classified?
Heat exchangers can be classified in several different ways, and include: transfer process, design and construction, flow arrangement, and surface compactness.

What variables determine the rate of heat transfer in a heat exchanger?
The rate of heat transfer in a heat exchanger depends on: surface area of the contacting surface, the temperature different between the two fluids, and the thermal conductivity of the surface materials and the heat transfer coefficient.

Sample Video Transcript

Heat exchangers can also be classified by their design and construction. There are four basic designs. One, tubular. Two, plate. Three, extended surface. And four, regenerative. A tubular heat exchanger consists of a set of tubes, the tube bundle typically contained within a shell. Thus, the name Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger. The tubes contain one fluid and the second fluid runs over or around the tubes, to either supply heat to or remove heat from the tube surfaces.

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