Heat Exchanger Specifications

However the functions of different heat exchangers are similar, namely, the transfer of heat, their construction and main modes of heat transfer are dissimilar.

The specification of an industrial heat exchanger should involve the heat exchanger capacity, the temperatures of the fluids, permissible pressure drop in every fluid path, the properties and volumetric flow of the fluids entering and leaving the heat exchanger. Such specifications will determine construction parameters, and therefore the cost of the heat exchanger. The last design will be a compromise among pressure drop, heat exchanger efficiency and selection of WHR devices are as follows:

• Temperature of waste heat fluid
• Flow rate of waste heat fluid  
• Chemical composition of waste heat fluid
• Minimum permissible temperature of waste heat fluid  
• Temperature of heated fluid
• Chemical composition of heated fluid
• Maximum permissible temperature of heated fluid
• Control temperature, when control is needed
• Effectiveness of heat transfer
• Operation, capital, and maintenance costs