ABSTRACT

For this experiment, there are four objectives that we need to achieve. First, we want
to demonstrate the working principles of a concentric tube heat exchanger operating under
counter flow conditions. Second is that we want to demonstrate the working principles of a
concentric tube heat exchanger operating under parallel flow conditions. Then for the third
and last are that we want to demonstrate the effect of hot water temperature and flow rate
variation on the performance characteristics of a concentric tube heat exchanger. The
experiment was started by undergoing the start-up procedures. The instrument has been set up
according to parallel flow arrangement.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Heat exchangers are typically classified according to flow arrangement and type of
construction. The simplest heat exchanger is one for which the hot and cold fluids move in
the same or opposite directions in a concentric tube (or double-pipe) construction. In the
parallel-flow arrangement, the hot and cold fluids enter at the same end, flow in the same
direction, and leave at the same end. In the counter flow arrangement, the fluids enter at
opposite ends, flow in opposite directions, and leave at opposite ends.

Figure 1.0 Concentric tube heat exchangers. (a) Parallel flow (b) Counter-flow
Alternatively, the fluids may move in cross flow (perpendicular to each other), as
shown by the finned and unfinned tubular heat exchangers of Figure 2. The two
configurations are typically differentiated by an idealization that treats fluid motion over the
tubes as unmixed or mixed. In Figure 2a, the fluid is said to be unmixed because the fins
inhibit motion in a direction (y) that is transverse to the main-flow direction (x). In this case
the fluid temperature varies with x and y. In contrast, for the unfinned tube bundle of Figure
2b, fluid motion, hence mixing, in the transverse direction is possible, and temperature
variations are primarily in the main-flow direction.
Since the tube flow is unmixed, both fluids are unmixed in the finned exchanger,
while one fluid is mixed and the other unmixed in the unfinned exchanger. The nature of the
mixing condition can significantly influence heat exchanger performance.

Figure 2.0 Cross flow heat exchanger. (a) Finned with both fluids unmixed. (b) Unffined
with one fluid mixed and the other unmixed.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
2.1 To demonstrate the working principles of a concentric tube heat exchanger
operating under counter flow conditions.
2.2 To demonstrate the working principles of a concentric tube heat exchanger
operating under parallel flow conditions.
2.3 To demonstrate the effect of hot water temperature variation on the performance
characteristics of a concentric tube heat exchanger.
2.4 To demonstrate the effect of flow rate variation on the performance characteristics
of a concentric tube heat exchanger operating under parallel flow conditions.

3.0 APPARATUS
3.1 Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger (ARMFIELD)

4.0 PROCEDURES
4.1 General start-up procedures had been performed by the laboratory technician.
4.2 The valves to counter-current concentric heat exchanger arrangement were
switched on.
4.3 Pumps P1 and P2 were switched on
4.4 Valves V3 and V14 were opened and adjusted to obtain the desired flowrates for
hot water and cold water streams, respectively.
4.5 The system was allowed to reach steady state for 10 minutes
4.6 FT 1, FT 2, TT 1, TT 2, TT 3 and TT 4 were recorded.
4.7 The pressure drop measurements for shell-side and tube-side were recorded for
pressure drop studies
4.8 Steps 5.4 5.7 were repeated for different combinations of flowrate FT 1 and FT
2 as in the result sheet.
4.9 Pumps P1 and P2 were switched off after the completion of experiment

5.0 RESULTS AND SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

FT 1 (LPM)

FT2 (LPM)

TT 1 (C)

TT 2 (C)

TT 3 (C)

TT 4 (C)

10.0

2.0

36.0

30.1

49.0

49.5

10.0

4.0

33.7

30.6

48.4

49.0

10.0

6.0

32.6

29.3

48.5

49.1

10.0

8.0

32.1

30.0

48.9

49.7

10.0

10.0

31.9

30.4

48.1

49.0

Table 6.1: Data for Fixed Hot Water Flowrates at 10 LPM

FT 1 (LPM)

FT 2 (LPM)

TT 1 (C)

TT 2 (C)

TT 3 (C)

TT 4 (C)

2.0

10.0

31.6

29.8

47.1

50.0

4.0

10.0

31.6

30.6

47.4

49.3

6.0

10.0

31.8

30.8

48.0

49.2

8.0

10.0

31.9

29.9

48.3

49.2

10.0

10.0

32.1

30.4

49.1

50.1

Table 6.2: Data for Fixed Cold Water Flowrates at 10 LPM

Counter-Current
TT1: Hot water inlet temperature
TT2: Hot water outlet temperature
TT3: Cold water inlet temperature
TT4: Cold water outlet temperature
Table 6.3: Table of Calculations for Concentric heat Exchanger
Fixed hot water flowrates at 10 LPM

test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

Test 5

Hot fluid (Tube) : Water

Vomunetric flowrate

L/min

10.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

Mass flow

kg/s

0.165

0.165

0.165

0.165

0.165

Inlet temperature

36

33.7

32.6

32.1

31.9

Outlet temperature

30.1

30.6

29.8

30

30.4

Heat transfer rate

J/s

4064.36

2135.51

1928.85

1446.64

1033.31

10

0.033

0.066

0.1

0.133

0.165

Cold fluid (Shell) : water

Volumetric flowrate

L/min

Mass flow

kg/s

Inlet temperature

49

48.4

48.5

48.9

48.1

Outlet temperature

49.5

49

49.1

49.7

49

Heat transfer rate

J/s

69.02

165.65

250.98

445.07

621.18

Hot side inlet T, T1

36

33.7

32.6

32.1

31.9

hot side outlet T, T2

30.1

30.6

29.8

30

30.4

Temperature difference

Cold side inlet T, T3

Cold side outlet T, T4
T log mean, Tlm

49

48.4

48.5

48.9

48.1

49.5

49

49.1

49.7

49

-16.05

-16.52

-17.58

-18.24

-17.4

Heat loss

3995.34

1969.86

1677.87

1001.57

412.13

Efficiency

1.7

7.76

13

30.77

60.12

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

-5064.62

-2585.36

-2194.37

-1586.23

-1187.71

Tube

Shell

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

Overall heat transfer coefficient

Total exchange area

m^2

Overall heat transfer coefficient

Exchanger layout

Length of tubes

Tube ID

mm

26.64

26.64

26.64

26.64

26.64

Tube OD

mm

33.4

33.4

33.4

33.4

33.4

Tube surface area

m^2

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

Shell diameter

mm

85

85

85

85

85

m^2

0.000557

0.000557

0.000557

0.000557

0.000557

Mass velocity

296.23

296.23

296.23

296.23

296.23

Linear velocity

0.29004

0.29004

0.29004

0.29004

0.29004

Tube side
Cross section area

14,363.9
Reynolds
Prandtl
Nuselt number

14,363.97

14,363.9

7 14,363.97

7 14,363.97

3.56

3.56

3.56

3.56

3.56

74.05

74.05

74.05

74.05

74.05

Type of flow

Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent

Stanton number

0.00145

0.00145

0.00145

0.00145

0.00145

Heat transfer factor, jh

0.00394

0.00394

0.00394

0.00394

0.00394

Tube coefficient, hi

1788.99

1788.99

1788.99

1788.99

1788.99

0.0048

0.0048

0.0048

0.0048

0.0048

Mass velocity

6.875

13.75

20.833

27.708

34.375

Linear velocity

0.0069

0.01381

0.02092

0.02783

0.03452

51.6

51.6

51.6

51.6

51.6

443.05

886.1

1342.55

1785.6

2215.25

5.44

5.44

5.44

5.44

5.44

Shell side
Cross flow area

Equivalent diameter
Reynolds
Prandtl
Type of flow
Nuselt number

laminar

laminar

laminar

laminar

laminar

5.27

9.17

12.79

16.07

19.09

Stanton number

0.00219

0.0019

0.00175

0.00165

0.00158

Heat transfer factor, jh

0.00681

0.00591

0.00544

0.00513

0.00491

62.94

109.24

152.35

191.09

226.9

Shell coefficient, hs

Table 6.4: Table of Calculations for Concentric heat Exchanger

Fixed cold water flowrates at 10 LPM

test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

Test 5

Hot fluid (Tube) : Water

Vomunetric flowrate

10

0.0329

0.0659

0.0988

0.1318

0.1647

Inlet temperature

31.6

31.6

31.8

31.9

32.1

Outlet temperature

29.8

30.6

30.8

29.9

30.4

247.24

275.13

412.49

1100.53

1168.96

10

10

10

10

10

0.1659

0.1659

0.1659

0.1659

0.1659

47.1

47.4

48

48.3

49.1

50

49.3

49.2

49.2

50.1

2012.48

1318.52

832.75

624.56

693.96

Hot side inlet T, T1

31.6

31.6

31.8

31.9

32.1

hot side outlet T, T2

29.8

30.6

30.8

29.9

30.4

Cold side inlet T, T3

47.1

47.4

48

48.3

49.1

50

49.3

49.2

49.2

50.1

-17.84

-17.25

-17.3

-17.84

-18.35

-1765.24

-1043.39

-420.26

475.97

475

12.29

20.87

49.53

56.75

59.34

Mass flow

Heat transfer rate

Cold fluid (Shell) : water
Volumetric flowrate
Mass flow
Inlet temperature
Outlet temperature
Heat transfer rate
Temperature difference

Cold side outlet T, T4

T log mean, Tlm
Heat loss
Efficiency
Overall heat transfer
coefficient

Total exchange area

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

-277.17

-318.99

-476.87

-1233.78

-1274.07

Tube

Shell

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

Overall heat transfer

coefficient
Exchanger layout

Length of tubes

Tube ID

mm

26.64

26.64

26.64

26.64

26.64

Tube OD

mm

33.4

33.4

33.4

33.4

33.4

Tube surface area

m^2

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

Shell diameter

mm

85

85

85

85

85

0.000557

0.000557

0.000557

0.000557

0.000557

Mass velocity

59.066

118.312

177.379

236.625

295.691

Linear velocity

0.05977

0.11973

0.1795

0.23946

0.29923

Tube side
Cross section area

14,337.8
Reynolds
Prandtl
Nuselt number
Type of flow

2864.07

5736.86

3.56

3.56

3.56

3.56

3.56

20.38

35.53

49.13

61.87

73.94

turbulent

turbulent

8600.98 11,473.77

turbulent

turbulent

turbulent

Stanton number

0.00199

0.00174

0.0016

0.00151

0.00145

Heat transfer factor, jh

0.00466

0.00407

0.00375

0.00354

0.0034

492.46

858.47

1186.93

1494.7

1786.39

0.0048

0.0048

0.0048

0.0048

0.0048

Tube coefficient, hi
Shell side
Cross flow area

Mass velocity
Linear velocity
Equivalent diameter
Reynolds
Prandtl
Type of flow
Nuselt number

34.56

34.56

34.56

34.56

34.56

0.03471

0.03471

0.03471

0.03471

0.03471

51.6

51.6

51.6

51.6

51.6

2227.17

2227.17

2227.17

2227.17

2227.17

5.44

5.44

5.44

5.44

5.44

turbulent

turbulent

turbulent

turbulent

turbulent

19.17

19.17

19.17

19.17

19.17

Stanton number

0.00158

0.00158

0.00158

0.00158

0.00158

Heat transfer factor, jh

0.00491

0.00491

0.00491

0.00491

0.00491

228.12

228.12

228.12

228.12

228.12

Shell coefficient, hs
Typical Chemical Data

Hot water
Density: 988.18 kg/m3
Heat capacity: 4175.00 J/kg.K
Thermal cond: 0.6436 W/m.K
Viscosity: 0.0005494 Pa.s

Cold water
Density: 995.67 kg/m3
Heat capacity: 4183.00 J/kg.K
Thermal cond: 0.6155 W/m.K

Viscosity: 0.0008007 Pa.s

Cold Water Flowrate = 2.0 LPM

Counter-Current Flow (Hot water inlet at 50'C)

Hot fluid (Tube-side): Water

Volume flow : 9.70 L/min
Inlet temp : 51.1 oC
Outlet temp : 50.0 oC

Cold fluid(Shell-Side): Water

Volume flow : 2.0 L/min
Inlet temp : 32.7 oC
Outlet temp : 35.3 oC

Shell And Tube Heat Exchanger Layout

Tube : 1
Shell : 1
Length of tubes : 0.5m
Tube ID : 26.64mm

Tube OD : 33.4mm
Tube surface area : 0.0525m2
Shell diameter : 85mm
Calculation of Heat transfer and heat Lost:

The Heat Transfer rate of both hot and cold water are both calculated using the heat balance
equation;
Heat Transfer rate for Hot Water,

Qhot ( W )= mh C p T
3

L 1m 1min
kg
J
Qhot=10.0

988.18 3 4175
(36.030.1)
min 1000 L 60s
kg .
m
Heat Transfer Rate for Cold Water,

Qcold ( W )=mc C p T
3

L 1m 1min
kg
J
Qcold=2.0

995.67 3 4183
(49.549.0)
min 1000 L 60s
kg.
m
Heat Lost Rate =

Effeciency =

QhotQ cold=4064.3669.02=3995.34W

Q cold
69.02
100 =
100 =1.698
Qhot
4064.36

Calculation of Log Mean Temperature Difference :

T h , outTc ,
( T h ,Tc , out ) ( ]

T h , outTc ,
T h ,Tc , out

ln

T m=

( 36.049.5 )( 30.149.0 )
36.045.5
ln
30.149.0

Calculation of the Tube and Shell heat transfer Coefficients by Kerns Method :
Assuming,

T m=T lm

Heat Transfer Coefficient at Tube Side:

Cross Flow Area,

mt 0.165 296.33kg
Gt = =
=
At 0.000039 m2 .s

Mass Velocity,

Linear Velocity,

Renolds No,

d i 3.142 0.007052
At= =
=0.000039m2
4
4

Gt 296.33
ut = =
=0.29004m/s
988.18

Gt de 296.337.05 1
=
=

=14,363.97 ( Turbule nt Flow )

0.0005494 1000

Prandtl No,

Pr=

C p 0.0005494 4175
=
=3.56
k
0.6436

Tube Side Coefficient,

0.8

0.33

0.8

0.33

0.023 Pr k 0.023 ( 14363.97 ) ( 3.56 ) (0.6436)

hi =
=
=74.05W m2 K
de
0.00705
Heat Transfer Coefficient at Shell Side:

e 2
2
A s = ( Ds d o )=0.0048m
4

Cross Flow Area,

Mass Velocity,

G s=

Linear Velocity,

G s 6.875
us = =
=0.00690m/s
995.67

Equivalent Diameter,

Renolds No,

Prandtl No,

W s 0.033 6.875kg
=
=
A s 0.0048 m2 .s

de=d 2d 2=85.033.4=51.6mm

G s de 6.87551.6 1
=
=

=443.05 ( Laminar Flow )

0.0008007 1000
Pr=

C p 0.0008007 4183
=
=5.44
k
0.6155

Nuselt No,

0.8

0.33

0.8

0.33

Nu=0.023 Pr =0.023 ( 443.05 ) ( 5.44 ) =19.17

Stanton No,

St=

Nu
19.17
=
=0.00158
RePr ( 443.05 )(5.44)

Heat Transfer Factor,

0.67

0.67

J h=StPr =0.001585.44 =0.00491

Shell Side Coefficient,

0.33

0.33

J h Pr k 0.00491(443.05)(5.44) (0.6155)
h s=
=
=228.12W m2 K
de
0.0516
Overall Heat transfer Coefficient:
Total exchange area,

26.64
0.5
1000

( )

0.05m

Overall heat transfer coefficient,

u=

Qhot
2
=5064.62W /m K
AT lm

6.0 DISCUSSIONS
For this experiment, we used concentric tube heat exchanger which is one of heat
exchanger types. There are four objectives that we need to investigate in order to make our
experiment a success.
There are two types of flow in concentric tube heat exchanger. There are counter flow
and parallel flow. Counter flow is a flow where the hot and cold fluids enter at opposite ends,
flow in opposite directions, and leave at opposite ends.

This configuration provides for heat transfer between the hotter portions of the two
fluids at one end, as well as between the colder portions at the other. The outlet temperature
of the cold fluid will be heated to the inlet temperature of cold fluid however can never
exceed the inlet temperature of hot fluid as it will violate the second law of thermodynamics.
Furthermore, the outlet temperature of the cold fluid may now exceed the outlet temperature
of the hot fluid.

Parallel flow is where the hot and cold fluids enter at the same end, flow in the same direction
and leave at the same end.

Note that the outlet temperature of the cold fluid never exceeds that of the hot fluid.
Theoretically for an overall heat transfer rate, the counter flow conditions is more
efficient compare to the parallel flow because the value of power absorbed which is the heat
transfer rate of the counter flow is higher compare to parallel flow when acting on the same
operating conditions in which the value of U is kept constant. Since for this experiment, the
value of U is not constant, we obtained it differently. Other than that, it should be that the
Tlm of the counter flow is larger than the Tlm of the parallel flow but for this experiment,
we also obtain it different from the theoretical. The efficiency of a counter flow heat
exchanger is exactly due to the fact that the difference in temperature between the two fluids
over the length of the heat exchanger is maximized. Therefore, the log mean temperature for
a counter flow heat exchanger is larger than the log mean temperature of the parallel flow.
The error that we have made in this experiment is probably because we do not wait until the

temperature readings are stabilized because we do not want the temperature of the heat
exchanger to exceed 60 C. It may had happened while doing counter flow operation.
We can see that as the temperature increases, the value of overall heat transfer coefficient also
increases except for the temperature of 60 C, there is a slightly decrease due to parallax
error. This is because, as the temperature of the hot water increases, the temperature
difference will be larger and thus increases the total thermal resistance between the two
fluids. Notice that, the efficiencies of all the temperature variations is too large and higher
compare to the mean temperature efficiency. This is because the mean temperature efficiency
is an indicator of the actual heat transfer taking place in the heat exchanger as a percentage of
the maximum possible heat transfer that would take place if infinite surface area were
available. So, the efficiency should not exceed the mean temperature efficiency. Moreover,
for this experiment, the mean temperature efficiency is increasing as the hot water
temperature increases.
Nevertheless, there are a lot of errors and mistakes that may have affected the results
obtained. The very common error occurs during conducting the experiments are careless way
of reading the thermometers when taking the temperatures of fluids. The eye of an observer
must be parallel to the thermometer meniscus to avoid parallax error. Another mistake that
may have been committed is not pressing the enter button after setting the temperatures. This
has caused a minor problem when the temperature always manipulate even after setting it to
the desired temperature. Besides that, the flow rates always change easily during the
experiments.

7.0 CONCLUSION
At the end of the experiment, we achieved that the parallel flow conditions is much
more efficient compare to counter flow condition which is different compare to the
theoretical results and when we varied the hot water temperature in parallel flow condition,
we can see that as the temperature increases, the value of overall heat transfer coefficient also
increases. Also the mean temperature efficiency is increasing as the hot water temperature
increases. Moreover, as we varied the hot water flow rate, from low to high, the overall heat
transfer coefficient, U will increase and the higher the flow rate of a fluid, the lower the

temperature change in that fluid will be. Thus, it can be concluded that all of the four
objectives had been reached even though there are few errors made in the experiment.

8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
8.1 The major error in this experiment is the thermometer reading. As a suggestion,
we must use the digital thermometer. This type of thermometer can give the
accurate results.
8.2 Position the eye level parallel to the scale when taking the thermometer readings.
8.3 Carefully when to set the flow rate of hot water and cold water.
8.4 Make sure the water in the tank is not over the limit.
8.5 Only take the all temperature when we get absolutely the temperature needed.
8.6 Make sure that the water level in the tank exceeds the heater plate.
8.7 If we change the temperature in this experiment, mostly in water temperature
variation experiment, we must wait for a few minute to make sure the temperature
reading is constant.
8.8 For flow rate variation experiment, it is difficult to control the flow rate. In some
cases, if we change the hot water flow rate, it will affect the cold water flow rate.
It is so difficult to get the specific flow rate for hot and cold water. As a
suggestion, we should use the digital controller to get the accurate value for that
flow rate.

REFERENCES
Christie John Geankoplis, Transport Processes and Separation Process principle 4 th Edition,
Pearson Education Inc, United States, 2003
Warren L. McCabe, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc., 2005
Yunus A. Cengel, Heat and Mass Transfer; A Practical Approach, McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc., 2006

APPENDICES