1. What is Effectiveness of Heat Exchanger?

The effectiveness of a heat exchanger is a measure of how well it transfers heat relative to the maximum possible heat transfer. When cold fluid is the minimum fluid, it indicates the cold fluid has the lower heat capacity rate.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \varepsilon_c \) — Effectiveness when cold fluid is minimum fluid
• \( T_{ci} \) — Inlet temperature of cold fluid (K)
• \( T_{co} \) — Outlet temperature of cold fluid (K)
• \( T_{hi} \) — Inlet temperature of hot fluid (K)

Explanation: This formula calculates the effectiveness based on temperature differences, where the modulus function ensures a positive value for the numerator.

3. Importance of Effectiveness Calculation

Details: Calculating effectiveness helps in evaluating heat exchanger performance, optimizing design, and ensuring efficient heat transfer in various industrial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all temperatures in Kelvin. Ensure that the denominator (Thi - Tco) is not zero to avoid undefined results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does it mean when cold fluid is the minimum fluid?
A: It means the cold fluid has the lower heat capacity rate (m·cp) compared to the hot fluid in the heat exchanger.

Q2: What is the range of effectiveness values?
A: Effectiveness values range from 0 to 1, where 1 represents ideal heat transfer.

Q3: Why use absolute value in the numerator?
A: The absolute value ensures the temperature difference is always positive, regardless of which temperature is higher.

Q4: When is this formula applicable?
A: This formula is specifically for counter-current heat exchangers when the cold fluid is the minimum fluid.

Q5: What are typical effectiveness values in practice?
A: Typical values range from 0.6 to 0.9, depending on the heat exchanger design and operating conditions.