For a heat exchanger the inlet and outlet temperatures of hot and col...
From the given condition of temperature, we see that exit temperature of cold fluid is greater than exit temperature of hot fluid. This is possible only in case of counter flow heat exchanger.
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For a heat exchanger the inlet and outlet temperatures of hot and col...
Counter flow is the correct type of heat exchanger
Counter flow heat exchangers are more efficient compared to parallel flow heat exchangers because they allow for a greater temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids. In this case, the hot fluid enters at a higher temperature than the cold fluid, making it suitable for a counter flow configuration.
Explanation:
- In counter flow heat exchangers, the hot and cold fluids flow in opposite directions, maximizing the temperature difference between the two fluids at any given point within the exchanger.
- As the hot fluid enters at a higher temperature (Th1 = 150oC) and exits at a lower temperature (Th2 = 70oC), while the cold fluid enters at a lower temperature (Tc1 = 20oC) and exits at a higher temperature (Tc2 = 80oC), a counter flow configuration is ideal to take advantage of this temperature difference.
- The counter flow arrangement allows for efficient heat transfer between the two fluids, resulting in a higher overall heat transfer rate.
- Parallel flow heat exchangers, on the other hand, have the hot and cold fluids flowing in the same direction, which limits the temperature difference between the two fluids and decreases the overall heat transfer efficiency.
Therefore, based on the given inlet and outlet temperatures of the hot and cold fluids, a counter flow configuration is the most suitable type of heat exchanger for this scenario.