Analysis of a Flooded Heat Exchanger

Authors

  • Aaron H. Fink Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
  • William L. Luyben Lehigh University

Abstract

Flooded heat exchangers are often used in industry to reduce the required heat-transfer area and the size of utility control valves. These units involve a condensing vapor on the hot side that accumulates as a liquid phase in the lower part of the vessel. The heat transfer occurs mostly in the vapor space, but the condensate becomes somewhat subcooled before it leaves the heat exchanger. The analysis of the system is quite interesting for several reasons. The heat-transfer coefficients are different in the two phases. Heat-transfer areas in the two phases depend on the height of liquid. This paper demonstrates how this type of system can be studied using experimental data from a pilot-scale flooded heat exchanger. The experiment provides a mechanism for improving students’ understanding of basic heat-transfer principles, particularly since phase changes must be considered.

Author Biographies

Aaron H. Fink, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Aaron Fink graduated with honors from Lehigh University in 2014 with a B.S. in chemical engineering. Since graduating he has started an engineering position at W.R. Grace in their Manufacturing Leadership Program.


William L. Luyben, Lehigh University

William L. Luyben has taught at Lehigh for 47 years in the areas of process design and process control. He is the author of 14 books and more than 280 papers.


Downloads

Published

2015-05-05

Issue

Section

Manuscripts