Heat exchanger

A heat exchanger is a device used to transfer heat between two or more fluids. There are two approaches that are normally taken. The first considers the flow configuration within the heat exchanger, while the second is based on the classification of equipment type primarily by construction.

Classification of Heat Exchangers by Flow Configuration

There are four basic flow configurations:

• Counter Flow
• Cocurrent Flow
• Crossflow
• Hybrids such as Cross Counterflow and Multi Pass Flow

Classification of Heat Exchangers by Construction

• Heat exchanger
  • Recuperative Heat Exchanger has separate flow paths for each fluid and fluids flow simultaneously through the exchanger exchanging heat across the wall separating the flow paths
    • Indirect
      • Tubular
        • Shell & Tube
          • TEMA types
          • Graphite
          • Glass
          • Plastic
          • Double pipe
          • Helical coil
        • Fumaces
          • Fired
          • Electrica
        • Tube in plate
        • Elec. heated
        • Air cooled
        • Special tubular
          • heat pipes
          • Agitated vessels
          • Graphite Block
          • Bayonet
      • Plate
        • plate and frame
          • Gasketed
          • Welded
        • plate fin
        • Lamella
        • Spiral
    • Direct
      • Cooling tower
      • Direct contact condenser
      • Steam injection
    • Special
      • Scared surface
      • Wet surface air coolers
  • Regenerative Heat Exchanger has a single flow path
    • Static
    • Dynamic
      • Reciprocating
      • Rotary

Heat exchanger analysis

This URL describes detailed thermal analysis equation of any heat exchanger