Method for the heat exchanger effectiveness calculation under variable dynamic conditions

• Published in: International communications in heat and mass transfer Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 739 - 748
• Main Authors: Mai, T.H., Chitou, N., Padet, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Ltd 01.07.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: 320303 - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes; Applied sciences; CALCULATION METHODS; Devices using thermal energy; Energy; ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ENERGY TRANSFER; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; FOULING; HEAT EXCHANGERS; Heat exchangers (included heat transformers, condensers, cooling towers); HEAT TRANSFER; STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS; Unsteady flow; Measurement in situ; Fouling; Heat exchanger; Experimental study; Performance; Computing method; Shell and tube exchanger; Tubular heat exchanger
• ISSN: 0735-1933; 1879-0178
• DOI: 10.1016/S0735-1933(99)00060-3

A method is proposed to determine the thermal effectiveness of heat exchangers in situ, when one of the fluids is submitted to any kind of flow rate variations. It leads to the definition of the average effectiveness in unsteady state, which forms an extension of the classical effectiveness used in steady state. It requires an unsophisticated equipement of measurement and should lead to an easy and continuous control of the fouling of heat exchangers.