Heat Exchanger Duty Calculator

Duty Formula:

\[ Q = \dot{m} \times c \times \Delta T \]

Duty (W):

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1. What is a Heat Exchanger Duty Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the thermal duty (heat transfer rate) in a heat exchanger based on mass flow rate, specific heat capacity, and temperature difference.

Purpose: It helps engineers and technicians calculate the heat transfer requirements for designing or analyzing heat exchangers.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ Q = \dot{m} \times c \times \Delta T \]

Where:

\( Q \) — Duty (Watts)
\( \dot{m} \) — Mass flow rate (kg/s)
\( c \) — Specific heat capacity (J/kg·K)
\( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (K)

Explanation: The calculator multiplies the mass flow rate by the specific heat capacity and temperature difference to determine the heat transfer rate.

3. Importance of Duty Calculation

Details: Accurate duty calculation is essential for proper heat exchanger sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and process optimization.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass flow rate, specific heat capacity (default 4.18 J/kg·K for water), and temperature difference. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Use kg/s for mass flow, J/kg·K for specific heat, and Kelvin for temperature difference.

Q2: Why is the default specific heat 4.18?
A: This is the specific heat of water at room temperature, a common working fluid.

Q3: Can I use °C instead of K for temperature difference?
A: Yes, because a 1°C difference equals a 1K difference in magnitude.

Q4: How do I find the mass flow rate?
A: Measure it directly or calculate from volumetric flow rate (m³/s) multiplied by density (kg/m³).

Q5: Does this work for all heat exchanger types?
A: Yes, the basic duty calculation applies to shell-and-tube, plate, and other heat exchanger types.