Results

120

100
Hot Water Inlet
80
Temperature (oC)

Cold Water Outlet

60
Hot Water Outlet
40

20 Cold Water Inlet

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Position

Figure 1. Countercurrent flow temperature profile.

120

100 Hot Water Inlet

80 Hot Water Outlet

Temperature (oC)

Cold Water Outlet

60

40

Cold Water Inlet

20

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

Figure 2. Parallel flow temperature profile.

 Table 1. Calculated overall heat transfer coefficient.
Overall Heat Transfer
Average U
Flow Regime Coefficient, U % Difference
(W/ m2K)
(W/ m K)
2

Countercurrent 4516.80
4.82 4631.25
Parallel 4745.71

Discussion

Temperature Profiles
Presented in Figures 1 and 2 are the temperature profile of the double-pipe heat exchanger for
countercurrent and parallel flow, respectively. Temperature profiles are essential for heat
exchangers in order to analyze heat transfer behavior. As seen from the Figures, the maximum
temperature difference (66.5oC) is obtained from the parallel flow regime as well as the lowest
(5.33oC). On the other hand, the countercurrent flow regime has a temperature difference which is
approximately constant with position (inlet = 31.67oC and outlet = 22.5oC). Heat transfer is driven
by temperature difference; hence it can be said the countercurrent flow offers a more uniform
distribution of heat as compared to the parallel flow regime.

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient

Presented in Table 1 are the calculated overall heat transfer coefficients for both flow regime
with a value of 4516.80 and 4735.7 W/ m2K for countercurrent and parallel flow, respectively.
The overall heat transfer coefficient represents the total resistance to heat transfer from one fluid
to another and is a function of the flow geometry, fluid properties and material composition of the
heat exchanger. Mathematically, it is expressed through equation 1.

𝑄 = 𝑈𝐴∆𝑇𝑙𝑚

Where Q is the amount of heat transferred with time, U is the overall heat transfer coefficient, A
is the surface area of transfer of the heat exchanger and ∆𝑇𝑙𝑚 is the log mean temperature
difference. Since all of these factors are constant for both flow regimes, the overall heat transfer
coefficient for both flows should be similar. The results for both regime is more or less similar
with a percent difference of 4.82% and an average of 4631.25 W/m2K.