Air to Water Heat Exchanger Calculator

Heat Transfer Formula:

\[ Q = m_{air} \times c_{air} \times \Delta T_{air} = m_{water} \times c_{water} \times \Delta T_{water} \]

Air Mass Flow Rate:

kg/s

Air Specific Heat:

J/kg·K

Air Temperature Difference:

Water Mass Flow Rate:

kg/s

Water Specific Heat:

J/kg·K

Heat Transfer Rate (Q):

Water Temperature Difference:

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1. What is an Air to Water Heat Exchanger Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the heat transfer rate between air and water in a heat exchanger system.

Purpose: It helps engineers and HVAC professionals analyze and design heat exchange systems between air and water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the energy balance formula:

\[ Q = m_{air} \times c_{air} \times \Delta T_{air} = m_{water} \times c_{water} \times \Delta T_{water} \]

Where:

\( Q \) — Heat transfer rate (Watts)
\( m_{air} \) — Air mass flow rate (kg/s)
\( c_{air} \) — Air specific heat capacity (1005 J/kg·K at standard conditions)
\( \Delta T_{air} \) — Air temperature difference (K)
\( m_{water} \) — Water mass flow rate (kg/s)
\( c_{water} \) — Water specific heat capacity (4186 J/kg·K)
\( \Delta T_{water} \) — Water temperature difference (K)

Explanation: The heat lost by air equals the heat gained by water in an ideal heat exchanger.

3. Importance of Heat Exchanger Calculations

Details: Accurate calculations ensure proper system sizing, energy efficiency, and optimal performance of HVAC systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all required parameters. Default values are provided for specific heats (1005 J/kg·K for air, 4186 J/kg·K for water).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I only know volumetric flow rates?
A: Convert to mass flow using density (air ~1.2 kg/m³ at 20°C, water ~1000 kg/m³).

Q2: How accurate are the default specific heat values?
A: Very accurate for standard conditions. For extreme temperatures, use temperature-dependent values.

Q3: What about heat exchanger efficiency?
A: This calculates ideal heat transfer. For real systems, multiply Q by the heat exchanger efficiency.

Q4: Can I use this for other fluids?
A: Yes, but replace the specific heat values with those of your fluids.

Q5: What if I get negative temperature differences?
A: Ensure consistent direction of heat flow (hot to cold) in your input values.