Sample interview questions: Describe the behavior of heat exchangers and their relation to thermodynamics.
Sample answer:
Behavior of Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers facilitate heat transfer between two fluids by direct contact (e.g., a shell and tube exchanger) or indirect contact (e.g., a plate heat exchanger). They are essential components in various industrial and engineering applications, enabling efficient heating, cooling, and temperature regulation.
The behavior of heat exchangers is governed by the principles of thermodynamics:
- Heat Transfer: Heat flows from the hotter fluid to the colder fluid, following the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The temperature gradient between the fluids drives heat transfer.
- Energy Conservation: According to the First Law of Thermodynamics, the total energy transferred into the heat exchanger must equal the total energy transferred out.
- Effectiveness: The effectiveness of a heat exchanger is a measure of its ability to transfer heat. It is influenced by factors such as fluid flow rates, temperature differences, and heat transfer area.
Relation to Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics provides the theoretical framework for understanding and describing the behavior of heat exchangers. It establi… Read full answer