Types of Heat Exchangers: Learn About Different Heat Exchanger Designs

Question 1

In a plate-and-frame heat exchanger, heat transfer occurs through:

Accepted Answer

Both convection and conduction

Answer

Convection only

Answer

Conduction only

Answer

Radiation only

Question 2

In a cross-flow heat exchanger, the fluids flow:

Accepted Answer

At an angle to each other

Answer

Parallel to each other

Answer

Perpendicular to each other

Answer

In opposite directions

Question 3

Fouling in heat exchangers refers to:

Accepted Answer

Buildup of deposits on heat transfer surfaces

Answer

Corrosion of heat exchanger components only

Answer

Decrease in fluid flow rates only

Answer

Increase in pressure drop only

Question 4

Compact heat exchangers are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Both of the above

Answer

High surface area-to-volume ratio

Answer

Low pressure drop

Answer

Neither of the above

Question 5

In a counter-flow heat exchanger, the hot and cold fluids flow in:

Accepted Answer

Opposite directions

Answer

Same direction

Answer

Perpendicular to each other

Answer

Spiral pattern

Question 6

Which feature is typical of a compact heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Compact size and high surface area density

Answer

Large size and low surface area density

Answer

Low cost and low efficiency

Answer

High weight and low durability

Question 7

Which type of compact heat exchanger is known for its high surface area-to-volume ratio?

Accepted Answer

Plate-fin heat exchanger

Answer

Tube-fin heat exchanger

Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Question 8

What is the purpose of baffles in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

To guide the flow of fluid through the shell side and increase heat transfer

Answer

To reduce pressure drop and increase efficiency

Answer

To create a larger surface area for heat transfer

Question 9

What is the primary difference between a co-current flow arrangement and a counter-current flow arrangement in a heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

The direction of fluid flow relative to each other

Answer

The temperature difference between the fluids

Answer

The heat transfer rate

Question 10

What is the primary goal of heat transfer enhancement techniques in heat exchanger design?

Accepted Answer

To increase the heat transfer rate and reduce the size of the heat exchanger

Answer

To improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of the heat exchanger

Answer

To increase the operating temperature range of the heat exchanger

Question 11

The effectiveness of a heat exchanger is defined as the ratio of the actual heat transfer rate to the:

Accepted Answer

Maximum possible heat transfer rate

Answer

Minimum possible heat transfer rate

Answer

Average heat transfer rate

Answer

Design heat transfer rate

Question 12

Which type of heat exchanger is distinguished by its compact design and high surface area density?

Accepted Answer

Compact heat exchanger

Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Answer

Plate-and-frame heat exchanger

Question 13

Identify the primary advantage of employing a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

Accepted Answer

High pressure and temperature tolerance

Answer

Low maintenance and initial cost

Answer

Enhanced heat transfer surface area in a compact design

Question 14

Which of the options below does NOT represent a type of compact heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Answer

Microchannel heat exchanger

Answer

Plate-fin heat exchanger

Question 15

Which type of heat exchanger is constructed with tubes contained within a cylindrical shell?

Accepted Answer

Shell-and-tube

Answer

Plate-and-frame

Answer

Compact

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of baffles in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

To augment heat transfer by promoting turbulence

Answer

To minimize pressure drop

Answer

To provide structural support for the tubes

Question 17

Which type of heat exchanger is best suited for applications with high-pressure fluids?

Accepted Answer

Shell-and-tube

Answer

Plate-and-frame

Answer

Compact

Question 18

What is the key advantage of compact heat exchangers over traditional heat exchangers?

Accepted Answer

Smaller physical size

Answer

Higher heat transfer rates

Answer

Lower manufacturing costs

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a type of compact heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Shell-and-tube

Answer

Plate-fin

Answer

Coil-tube

Question 20

What is the purpose of introducing a fouling factor in the design of heat exchangers?

Accepted Answer

To account for the reduction in heat transfer due to fouling

Answer

To increase the heat transfer rate

Answer

To minimize pressure drop

Question 21

In a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, the fluid flowing through the tubes is typically called the:

Accepted Answer

Tube-side fluid

Answer

Shell-side fluid

Answer

Hot fluid

Answer

Cold fluid

Question 22

The effectiveness of a heat exchanger is defined as the ratio of the actual heat transfer rate to the:

Accepted Answer

Maximum possible heat transfer rate

Answer

Heat capacity rate of the hot fluid

Answer

Heat capacity rate of the cold fluid

Answer

Specific heat of the hot fluid

Question 23

The logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD) method is used to calculate the:

Accepted Answer

Mean temperature difference between the hot and cold fluids

Answer

Heat transfer rate between the hot and cold fluids

Answer

Effectiveness of the heat exchanger

Answer

Pressure drop in the heat exchanger

Question 24

In a cross-flow heat exchanger, the fluids flow:

Accepted Answer

Perpendicular to each other

Answer

Parallel to each other

Answer

Counter-current to each other

Answer

In the same direction

Question 25

Which of the following is a type of fouling that occurs due to the accumulation of organic matter?

Accepted Answer

Biological fouling

Answer

Chemical fouling

Answer

Mechanical fouling

Answer

Thermal fouling

Question 26

For a high-pressure application where one fluid is corrosive and the other is not, which heat exchanger type is the most suitable choice?

Accepted Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Answer

Plate-and-frame heat exchanger

Answer

Compact heat exchanger

Question 27

Which type of heat exchanger features a series of parallel plates that are separated by gaskets?

Accepted Answer

Plate-and-frame heat exchanger

Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Answer

Compact heat exchanger

Question 28

Which type of heat exchanger is commonly used in automotive applications due to its small size and high efficiency?

Accepted Answer

Compact heat exchanger

Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Answer

Plate-and-frame heat exchanger

Question 29

What is the primary purpose of a heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate heat transfer between fluids

Answer

To either cool or heat a fluid

Answer

To create pressure within a system

Question 30

Which type of heat exchanger is suitable for use with fluids operating at high pressures?

Accepted Answer

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger

Answer

Plate-and-frame heat exchanger

Answer

Compact heat exchanger

Question 31

Which characteristic is unique to counter-flow heat exchangers?

Accepted Answer

Fluids flow in opposite directions

Answer

Fluids flow in perpendicular directions

Answer

Fluids flow in parallel directions

Question 32

What is the primary advantage of using a compact heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Both high heat transfer rate and low pressure drop

Answer

High heat transfer rate

Answer

Low pressure drop

Question 33

Which characteristic is unique to a shell-and-tube heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Ability to withstand high pressures and temperatures

Answer

Ease of cleaning and maintenance

Answer

Compact and space-efficient design

Answer

Low heat transfer efficiency

Question 34

What is the fundamental difference between a plate-and-frame heat exchanger and a shell-and-tube heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Arrangement of fluid streams within the exchanger

Answer

Number of fluid streams

Answer

Type of construction materials

Answer

Mechanism of heat transfer

Question 35

Which type of heat exchanger is prevalent in refrigeration and air conditioning applications?

Accepted Answer

Compact

Answer

Shell-and-tube

Answer

Plate-and-frame

Question 36

What is the primary limitation of compact heat exchangers?

Accepted Answer

Elevated pressure drop

Answer

Lower heat transfer efficiency

Answer

Challenges in manufacturing

Answer

Shortened lifespan

Question 37

What is the primary purpose of a baffle in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of fluid bypassing

Answer

Enhancement of surface area

Answer

Reduction of pressure drop

Answer

Improvement of mixing

Question 38

What is the purpose of a floating head in a heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

Accommodation of thermal expansion to prevent damage

Answer

Facilitation of cleaning and maintenance

Answer

Mitigation of vibration

Answer

Enhancement of heat transfer efficiency