To carry out quick heat exchanger calculations, an estimate of the overall heat transfer coefficient usually needs to be made. Some typical values for the overall heat transfer coefficient for a variety of different types of heat exchanger are listed below.
The values can be used in the Blackmonk Heat Exchanger Sizing Calculator.
The reference values have been taken from Coulson & Richardson's Chemical Engineering Vol. 6, 2nd Edition & 3rd Edition, R K Sinnot.
Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers
| Hot fluid | Cold fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Water | 800 - 1500 | 141 - 264 |
| Organic solvents | Organic solvents | 100 - 300 | 18 - 53 |
| Light oils | Light oils | 100 - 400 | 18 - 70 |
| Heavy oils | Heavy oils | 50 - 300 | 9 - 53 |
| Gases | Gases | 10 -50 | 2 - 9 |
Shell & Tube Coolers
| Hot fluid | Cold fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic solvents | Water | 250 - 750 | 44 - 132 |
| Light oils | Water | 350 - 900 | 62 - 158 |
| Heavy oils | Water | 60 - 300 | 11 - 53 |
| Gases | Water | 20 - 300 | 4 - 53 |
| Organic solvents | Brine | 150 - 500 | 26 - 88 |
| Water | Brine | 600 - 1200 | 106 - 211 |
| Gases | Brine | 15 - 250 | 3 - 44 |
Shell & Tube Heaters
| Hot fluid | Cold fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Water | 1500 - 4000 | 264 - 704 |
| Steam | Organic solvents | 500 - 1000 | 88 - 176 |
| Steam | Light oils | 300 - 900 | 53 - 158 |
| Steam | Heavy oils | 60 - 450 | 11 - 79 |
| Steam | Gases | 30 - 300 | 5 - 53 |
| Dowtherm | Heavy oils | 50 - 300 | 9 - 53 |
| Dowtherm | Gases | 20 - 200 | 4 - 35 |
| Flue gas | Steam | 30 - 100 | 5 - 18 |
| Flue gas | Hydrocarbon vapours | 30 -100 | 5 - 18 |
Shell & Tube Condensers
| Hot fluid | Cold fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqueous vapours | Water | 1000 - 1500 | 176 - 264 |
| Organic vapours | Water | 700 - 1000 | 123 - 176 |
| Organics (some non-condensibles) | Water | 500 - 700 | 88 - 123 |
| Vacuum condensers | Water | 200 - 500 | 35 - 88 |
Shell & Tube Vaporisers
| Hot fluid | Cold fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Aqueous solutions | 1000 - 1500 | 176 - 264 |
| Steam | Light organics | 900 - 1200 | 158 - 211 |
| Steam | Heavy organics | 600 - 900 | 106 - 158 |
Air-Cooled Exchangers
| Hot fluid | Cold fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Air | 300 - 450 | 53 - 79 |
| Light organics | Air | 300 - 700 | 53 - 123 |
| Heavy organics | Air | 50 - 150 | 9 - 26 |
| Gases (5 - 10 bar) | Air | 50 - 100 | 9 - 18 |
| Gases (10 - 30 bar) | Air | 100 - 300 | 18 - 53 |
| Condensing hydrocarbons | Air | 300 - 600 | 53 - 106 |
Immersed Coils - Natural Circulation
| Coil | Pool | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Dilute aqueous solutions | 500 - 1000 | 88 - 176 |
| Steam | Light oils | 200 - 300 | 35 - 53 |
| Steam | Heavy oils | 70 - 150 | 12 - 26 |
| Aqueous solutions | Water | 200 - 500 | 35 - 88 |
| Light oils | Water | 100 - 150 | 18 - 26 |
Immersed Coils - Agitated
| Coil | Pool | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Dilute aqueous solutions | 800 - 1500 | 141 - 264 |
| Steam | Light oils | 300 - 500 | 53 - 88 |
| Steam | Heavy oils | 200 - 400 | 35 - 70 |
| Aqueous solutions | Water | 400 - 700 | 70 - 123 |
| Light oils | Water | 200 - 300 | 35 - 53 |
Jacketed Vessels
| Jacket | Vessel | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Dilute aqueous solutions | 500 - 700 | 88 - 123 |
| Steam | Light organics | 250 - 500 | 44 - 88 |
| Water | Dilute aqueous solutions | 200 - 500 | 35 - 88 |
| Water | Light organics | 200 - 300 | 35 - 53 |
Gasketed Plate Exchangers
| Hot Fluid | Cold Fluid | Overall HTC (W/(m2.K)) | Overall HTC (Btu/(hr.ft2.F)) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light organic | Light organic | 2500 - 5000 | 440 - 880 |
| Light organic | Viscous organic | 250 - 500 | 44 - 88 |
| Viscous organic | Viscous organic | 100 - 200 | 18 - 35 |
| Light organic | Process water | 2500 - 3500 | 440 - 616 |
| Viscous organic | Process water | 250 - 500 | 44 - 88 |
| Light organic | Cooling water | 2000 - 4500 | 352 - 792 |
| Viscous organic | Cooling water | 250 - 450 | 44 - 79 |
| Condensing steam | Light organic | 2500 - 3500 | 440 - 616 |
| Condensing steam | Viscous organic | 250 - 500 | 44 - 88 |
| Process water | Process water | 5000 - 7500 | 880 - 1321 |
| Process water | Cooling water | 5000 - 7000 | 880 - 1233 |
| Dilute aqueous solutions | Cooling water | 5000 - 7000 | 880 - 1233 |
| Condensing steam | Process water | 3500 - 4500 | 616 - 792 |