A numerical method for rating thermal performance in spiral heat exchangers

Abstract

The steady state heat transfer equations associated to two fluids in counter flow, hot and cold, in a spiral heat exchanger are considered in this study. A numerical method for solution was proposed to approximate the temperature distribution and overall heat transfer coefficients using the flow rates and the temperatures at inlets and outlets. In particular the effectiveness and correction factor were computed as performance parameters and develop a tool for design. The method is tested and validated on two actual spiral heat exchangers that were reported in the literature.