Enter the actual heat transfer and the maximum possible heat transfer into the calculator to determine the heat exchanger effectiveness.

Heat Exchanger Effectiveness Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a Heat Exchanger Effectiveness. 

E = AHT / MHT *100
  • Where E is the Heat Exchanger Effectiveness (%)
  • AHT is the actual heat transfer
  • MHT is the maximum heat transfer

To calculate a Heat Exchanger Effectiveness, divide the actual heat transfer by the maximum heat transfer.

In this case, the maximum heat transfer is based on the temperature difference and flow rate of the fluid.

What is Heat Exchanger Effectiveness?

Definition:

A heat exchanger effectiveness is a measure of the percentage of heat transfer a heat exchanger performs relative to a maximum theoretical heat transfer limit.

The maximum heat transfer is dependent on the flow rate and temperature different. This is also known as the Carnot efficient.

How to calculate Heat Exchanger Effectiveness?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines how to calculate a Heat Exchanger Effectiveness.

First, determine the actual heat transfer of the system. In this example, the actual heat transfer is 100 J/s.

Next, determine the maximum possible heat transfer rate. In this case, the maximum possible heat transfer rate is 150 J/s.

Finally, calculate the Heat Exchanger Effectiveness using the formula above:

E = AHT / MHT *100

E = 100 / 150 *100

E = 66.66%