Contents

Objective: ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Abstract: .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction: .................................................................................................................................... 2
Theory: ...........................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Procedure: ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Observations and Calculations:....................................................................................................... 5
Discussion: ...................................................................................................................................... 8
References: ...................................................................................................................................... 9

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Objective:
To demonstrate the difference between counter current flow and co-current flows and the effect
on heat transferred and efficiencies through concentric tube heat exchanger.
Abstract:
The main purpose of conducting this experiment is to study the function and working principle of
concentric tube heat exchanger under co-current and counter current flow. Inlet and outlet streams
were manipulated to study its effects on hot and cold water temperature. Calculation on heat
transfer and heat loss were carried out for energy balance study. Heat transfer coefficient and
LMTD was also calculated in this experiment. The flow used in this experiment are counter flow
and parallel flow. Heat exchanger rates for hot water was calculated separately at different flow
rates while the system is not at steady rate for cold water. In this we have to calculate heat transfer
coefficient at different flow rates for counter current and co-current flow. The effectiveness of the
exchanger is determined during the experiment and it was discovered that configuration of
concentric heat exchanger in counter current flow has greater effectiveness than co-current flow.
Based on the results obtained, heat transfer coefficient for counter current flow is high as compared
to co-current flow. This also means that counter current flow is more efficient than co-current flow.
There is inaccuracy in the results due to the errors present while carrying out the experiment.
Introduction:
Heat exchanger is any of several devices that transfer heat from a hot to a cold fluid. In many
engineering applications it is desirable to increase the temperature of one fluid
while cooling another. The apparatus for this experiment is the Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger.
The concentric tube heat exchanger experiment set - up consists of two coaxial tubes one inside
the other carrying fluids of different temperatures. Due to the temperature difference, heat will
flow from the hotter stream to the cooler one. This is the simplest form of heat exchanger and a
design that may be successfully analyzed and described by empirical equations. Concentrıc tube
heat exchanger demonstrates the basıc prıncıples of heat transfer. Two separate concentric tubes
are arranged in series in a U format to reduce the overall length and to provide a mid position
measuring point. The heat exchanger is mounted on the H102 panel fascia and retained by locking
pipe clips. In normal operation, hot water from the heating tank and pump passes through the ‘HOT
OUT’braided hose and self-sealing coupling into the inner stainless tube. It then flows through the
heat exchanger and leaves via the ‘HOT RETURN’ braided hose. Cold water flows from the
‘COLDOUT’ hose through the annulus between the clear plastic tube and the inner stainless tube.
With the hot water in the inner tube, losses from the system to the outside are minimized. As the
cold stream warms above the ambient temperature however there will be some external losses.
12mm compression fittings provide a liquid seal between the stainless tubes and the outer annulus.
This also allows the stainless tubes to be removed for cleaning if necessary. The midway points of
both hot and cold streams are fitted with type K thermocouple sensors to measure the stream
temperatures. Miniature thermocouple plugs take these signals to the temperature indicator and
Data Logger (when HC102 upgrade fitted). The hot hose terminates with a socket and the cold
hose a plug to prevent cross-connection. (Coffinberry 1978)

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 Figure 1: Labelled diagram of Concentric tube Heat Exchanger

Flow direction may be arranged for co-current (parallel) or counter-current (opposite

direction) of the Hot/Cold streams. Self-sealing couplings retain the water in both the hoses and
the heat exchangers. Changeover may be performed without stopping the pump or cold flow, but
operators should wear gloves for protection from hot surfaces. Reversing the cold flow is the safer
option.

Figure 2: Temperature profiles in concentric tube heat exchanger

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Theory:
Counter Flow:
A counter-flow heat exchanger is one in which the direction of the flow of one of the working
fluids is opposite to the direction to the flow of the other fluid. Second, the temperature of the cold
fluid exiting the heat exchanger never exceeds the lowest temperature of the hot fluid. Counter
flow exists when the two fluids flow in opposite directions. Each of the fluids enters the heat
exchanger at opposite ends. Because the cooler fluid exits the counter flow heat exchanger at the
end where the hot fluid enters the heat exchanger, the cooler fluid will approach the inlet
temperature of the hot fluid. The counter flow is more efficient than the parallel because in which
fluids move opposite and transfer more heat because more turbulence produces in counter flow.
the hot water is heating either the inside or the outside of the tubes in the exchanger, depending on
where it is flowing, by what is known as convection. Then the heat is conducted through the tubes
to the other side, either the outside or the inside, where it is then convected back into the cold water
raising its temperature. Convection is a mode of heat transfer that involves motion of some fluid
that either absorbs heat from a source or gives heat to some surrounding. Conduction is a mode of
heat transfer in which the heat is moving through a stationary object or fluid. (Schindler and
Schmidt 2007)

Figure 3: Counter-current flow in concentric tube heat exchanger

Parallel Flow:
For parallel flow arrangement, it is observed that η decreases with increase in R for parallel flow
arrangement and reaches minimum at R=1 for different values of NTU. The decrease in efficiency
is maximum for lower value of NTU. ε decreases with increase in R for both parallel flow and
counter flow arrangement and reaches minimum at R=1. It is also observed that the ε is higher for
higher values of NTU for both parallel and counter flow as R increases and decrease in ε is greater
for parallel arrangement as R increases. In order to have the optimum performance of the heat
exchanger in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, for parallel flow arrangement, the heat
exchanger must operate at lower values of heat capacity ratio R. For counter arrangement, it is

4
observed that η of counter flow arrangement increases with increase in values of heat capacity
ratio, R. It is also observed that for counter flow arrangement efficiency, η is higher for lower
values of NTU. The heat capacity ratio around R=0.5 gives the optimum performance of counter
flow arrangement based on effectiveness and efficiency. (Moon, HONG et al. 2018)

Figure 4: Parallel (cocurrent) flow in concentric tube heat exchanger

Procedure:
 Turn on the electric and cold water supplies.
 Then switch on the heater power to heat the water up to the set point temperature.
 Check the valves position (for parallel flow).
 After heating the water, switch on the pump.
 Set the flow rates of cold and hot water streams using flow rate control valves.
 Note down the inlet, mid, and outlet temperatures of cold and hot stream.
 Set the valves for counter flow conditions and follow same procedure as for the parallel
flow
Observations and Calculations:
 For Counter Flow:
Hot water flow rate = QH = 1 liters/min = 1.67x10 -5 m 3/ s
Table No: 1
No of observations Hot temperature Hot temperature Hot temperature
inlet mid outlet
T(°C) T(°C) T(°C)
1 70 59 52
2 70 63 57
3 70 63 57
70+59+52
The average temperature of hot fluid T av. = = 60°C
3

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Density of water = 983kg/m 3
Heat capacity = 4.18x1000J/kg K
Power emitted = -Q H ρ H CP H (t H in – t H out)
= -(1.67 x 10 -5x 983 x 4.18 x 1000 x 18)
Power emitted = -1235 W
Cold water flow rate = Q c = 1 lit/min. = 1.67x10 -5 m 3/s
Table No: 2
No of observations Cold temperature Cold temperature Cold temperature
inlet mid outlet
T(°C) T(°C) T(°C)
4 18 22 35
5 18 25 38
6 18 28 40
18+22+35
The average temperature of cold fluid = T av = = 25°𝐶
3
Density of water = 997kg/m 3
Heat capacity = C p = 4.18 x 1000 J/kg K
Power absorbed = QC ρC CP C (tC in – tC out)
= 1.67x10 -5 x 997 x 4.18x1000 x (-17)
= 1183 W

1183
Efficiency % = 1235 ∗ 100

= 95.7%
Power lost = Power emitted – Power absorbed
= -1235-(-1183)
= -52 W

Where,
Δt1 = tH in – tC out
Δt2 = tH out – tC in
∆𝑡 𝑚 = (35-34)/ln 1.02
∆t m = 34.4 °C

Heat transmission area = 0.067 m 2

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Overall heat transfer coefficient U = 1183/ (0.067x34.4)
U = 513 W/ m 2 °C
Same calculations were performed for other temperatures by changing flowrates.
Table No: 3
No of observations Power emitted (W) Power absorbed (W) Power lost (W)
1 -1235 1183 -52
2 -1781 2781 1000
3 -2672 4588 1916
Table No: 4

No of observations Efficiency% ∆𝒕 𝒎(℃) U (W/m 2℃)

1 95.7 34.4 513
2 156 35.3 500
3 171 34.3 1996
 For Parallel flow:
Flow rate = Q h = 1 lit/min. = 1.67x10 -5 m 3/ s
Table No: 5
No of observations Hot temperature Hot temperature Hot temperature
inlet mid outlet
T( °C) T( °C) T( °C)
1 70 58 53
2 70 59 55
3 70 60 58
70+58+53
The average temperature of hot fluid T av. = = 60°C
3
Density of water = 983kg/m 3
Heat capacity = 4.18x1000J/kg K
Power emitted = -Q H ρ H CP H (t H in – t H out)
= -(1.67 x 10 -5x 983 x 4.18 x 1000 x 17)
Power emitted = -1166 W
Cold water flow rate = Q c = 1 lit/min. = 1.67x10 -5 m 3/s
Table No: 6
No of observations Cold temperature Cold temperature Cold temperature
inlet mid outlet
T( °C) T( °C) T( °C)
4 20 30 39
5 20 30 41
6 20 30 44
20+30+39
The average temperature of cold fluid = T av = = 29.6°𝐶
3
Density of water = 995kg/m 3
Heat capacity = C p = 4.179 x 1000 J/kg K
Power absorbed = QC ρC CP C (tC in – tC out)

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 = 1.67x10 -5 x 995 x 4.179x1000 x (-19)
= 1319 W

1319
Efficiency % = 1166 ∗ 100
= 113%
Power lost = Power emitted – Power absorbed
= -1166-(-1319)
= 153 W

Where,
Δt1 = tH in – tC in
Δt2 = tH out – tC out
∆𝑡 𝑚 = (50-14)/ln 3.57
∆𝑡 𝑚 = 28°𝐶

Heat transmission area = 0.067 m 2

Overall heat transfer coefficient U = 1319/ 0.067x28)
U = 703 W/ m 2 °C
Same calculations were performed for other temperatures by changing flowrates.
Table No: 7
No of observations Power emitted (W) Power absorbed (W) Power lost (W)
1 -1166 1319 153
2 -2055 2917 862
3 -2465 5000 2535

Table No: 8
No of observations Efficiency% ∆𝒕 𝒎(℃) U (W/m 2℃)
1 113 28 703
2 142 28 1554
3 202 28 2665

Discussion:
Water is used as a fluid for the experiment. Sensible heat is transferred from hot water stream to
cold-water stream. From the data observed we calculate the overall coefficient U, the heat
transferred and the power lost for both counter and parallel flow conditions. Efficiency of counter

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flow configuration is better compared to parallel flow. This is because counter flow creates a much
more uniform temperature difference between the fluids over the entire fluid flow path. The overall
heat transfer coefficient, U increases as the flow rate of the fluid increases. Increasing U decreases
the resistance to heat transfer thereby enabling a higher heat transfer. The greater the value of the
Reynold number, the greater the value of the surface heat transfer coefficient h. The power
absorbed is less than the power emitted due to external or internal factors that cause heat dissipation
like fouling, scales, corrosion of heat exchanger and the water quality could also affect because it
may contain contaminants such as microorganism, sand, dust etc. The second factor that could
contribute to this problem is the equipment itself. Maybe there is an opening at some part of the
insulation which lead to the cold water absorbing heat not only from the hot water but also from
the surrounding or there could be leakage at the tube which holds the flow of the hot water and it
might enter the cold water flow region resulting in increasing of the outlet cold water temperature.
However, this reason can only be proven by inspection and maintenance. In addition, the heat has
to flow through different medium from hot water to the solid material of the inner tube before
arriving at the cold-water region. Therefore, the energy released by hot fluid is always greater than
the energy absorbed by the cold fluid in the heat exchanger and efficiency less than 100%. In an
effort to reduce the heat loss to the surroundings, it is recommended that the heat exchanger be
well insulated because in case of no insulation the ambient room temperature has a large effect on
the results. In addition, during the experiment, the indicator that shows the flow always move up
and down. A corrective action is required to maintain the flow rate constant at constant value so
that the temperature could be stable and the data taken will be accurate before proceeding to the
next flow rate.
References:
1. Coffinberry, G. A. (1978). Method of manufacturing a concentric tube heat exchanger,
Google Patents.
2. Moon, D. J., et al. (2018). Shell-and-multi-triple concentric-tube reactor and heat
exchanger,
3. Schindler, M. and M. Schmidt (2007). Heat exchanger, Google Patents.