Heat exchangers

Abstract

Much of the basic conduction and convection theory finds its greatest application in the heat exchanger. Whenever it is necessary to transfer energy from one fluid to another in large quantities, some form of heat exchanger is used. The most common form of heat exchanger is that in which two fluid streams pass through in steady flow, and heat transfer takes place through a separating wall. Mechanisms involved are therefore convection to or from the solid surface and conduction through the wall. The wall may be corrugated or finned to increase turbulence and the heat transfer area.