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In a cross-flow heat exchanger, the fluids travel roughly perpendicular to one another through the exchanger.įig. The counter current design is the most efficient, in that it can transfer the most heat from the heat (transfer) medium per unit mass due to the fact that the average temperature difference along any unit length is higher. In counter-flow heat exchangers the fluids enter the exchanger from opposite ends. In parallel-flow heat exchangers, the two fluids enter the exchanger at the same end, and travel in parallel to one another to the other side. There are three primary classifications of heat exchangers according to their flow arrangement. Flow arrangement Countercurrent (A) and parallel (B) flows
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Another example is the heat sink, which is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant. The classic example of a heat exchanger is found in an internal combustion engine in which a circulating fluid known as engine coolant flows through radiator coils and air flows past the coils, which cools the coolant and heats the incoming air. They are widely used in space heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, power stations, chemical plants, petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries, natural-gas processing, and sewage treatment. The fluids may be separated by a solid wall to prevent mixing or they may be in direct contact. Heat exchangers are used in both cooling and heating processes. Equipment used to transfer heat between fluids Tubular heat exchanger Partial view into inlet plenum of shell and tube heat exchanger of a refrigerant based chiller for providing air-conditioning to a buildingĪ heat exchanger is a system used to transfer heat between a source and a working fluid.
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