Advances in Thermal Design of Heat Exchangers: A Numerical Approach: Direct-sizing, Step-wise rating, and Transients

by Eric M. Smith

The primary objective in any engineering design process has to be the elimination of uncertainties. In thermal design of heat exchangers there are presently many stages in which assumptions in mathematical solution of the design problem are being made. Accumulation of these assumptions may introduce variations in design. The designer needs to understand where these inaccuracies may arise, and strive to eliminate as many sources of error as possible by choosing design configurations that avoid such problems at source. In this exciting text, the author adopts a numerical approach to the thermal design of heat exchangers, extending the theory of performance evaluation to the point where computer software may be written. The first few chapters are intended to provide a development from undergraduate studies regarding the fundamentals of heat exchanger theory and the concepts of direct sizing. Later chapters on transient response of heat exchangers and on the related single-blow method of obtaining experimental results should also interest the practicing engineer. Theory is explained simply, with the intention that readers can develop their own approach to the solution of particular problems. This book is an indispensable reference text for higher level (post-graduate) students and practicing engineers, researchers and academics in the field of heat exchangers.

544 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2005