CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
Effectiveness-NTU (Number of Transfer Units) method
In LMTD method, if we don’t know at least one outlet temperature, designing of heat
exchanger becomes difficult. It requires trial & error method for designing heat exchanger.
This trial-and-error method can be avoided by effectiveness-NTU method.
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
Generally in these cases capacity ratio is almost one (C→1)
In parallel flow maximum effectiveness is limited to 50% whereas in counter flow maximum effectiveness is limited to 50%
Figure: Effectiveness-NTU chart of parallel flow Figure: Effectiveness-NTU chart of counter flow
CamScanner
CamScanner
CamScanner
Q7. Discuss LMTD and NTU methods in the design of heat exchanger.
Q8. What do you mean by LMTD and NTU methods in the design of heat
exchanger? Explain them in detail.
The Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD) method and the effectiveness-NTU
method are the two important methods for design and analysis of heat exchangers.
(i) LMTD method
The Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD) method of heat exchanger design
refers to the process of designing a heat exchanger using the principles of LMTD to
determine key parameters such as heat transfer area (sizing analysis).
Note: Write LMTD formula and explain how to calculate Area of heat exchanger
(ii) Effectiveness-NTU (Number of Transfer Units) method
In LMTD method, if we don’t know at least one outlet temperature, designing of heat
exchanger becomes difficult. It requires trial & error method for designing heat exchanger.
This trial-and-error method can be avoided by effectiveness-NTU method.
The Effectiveness-NTU (Number of Transfer Units) method is a widely used approach in the
design and analysis of heat exchangers. It's particularly useful for determining the
performance of heat exchangers without needing detailed knowledge of the temperature
distribution inside the exchanger.
Definition of Effectiveness (ε): The effectiveness of a heat exchanger measures the actual
heat transfer achieved in comparison to the maximum possible heat transfer. It is expressed as
the ratio of actual heat transfer to the maximum possible heat transfer under the same
conditions.
Definition of NTU: The Number of Transfer Units (NTU) is a dimensionless parameter that
relates the heat transfer area of a heat exchanger to the heat capacity rate of the fluid flowing
through it. It essentially quantifies the size of the heat exchanger relative to the heat capacity
of the fluid.
𝑼𝑨
𝑵𝑻𝑼 =
𝑪𝒎𝒊𝒏
Calculating NTU: NTU is calculated based on the heat exchanger's design parameters, such
as the heat transfer area, flow rates, and heat capacity rates of the fluids involved.
Determining Effectiveness: Once NTU is known, the effectiveness can be calculated using
correlations or charts specific to the type of heat exchanger (e.g., counterflow, parallel flow,
or cross-flow).
Advantages of NTU method over the LMTD method
The LMTD method assumes that both inlet and outlet temperatures are known. When
this is not the case, the solution to a heat exchanger problem becomes somewhat
tedious.
The NTU method is more convenient than the LMTD method for cases in which
outlet temperature are not known.
The Number of Transfer Units (NTU) Method is used to calculate the rate of heat
transfer in heat exchangers when there is insufficient information to calculate the Log-
Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD).
In heat exchanger analysis, if the fluid inlet and outlet temperatures are specified or
can be determined by simple energy balance, the LMTD method can be used; but
when these temperatures are not available the NTU or the Effectiveness method is
used.
