Heat Exchanger (TL)

Heat exchanger for systems with thermal liquid and controlled flows

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Libraries:
Simscape / Fluids / Heat Exchangers / Thermal Liquid

Description

The Heat Exchanger (TL) block models the cooling and heating of fluids through conduction over a thin wall. The properties of a single-phase thermal liquid are defined on the Thermal Liquid tab. The second fluid is a controlled fluid, which is specified only by the user-defined parameters on the Controlled Fluid tab. It does not receive any properties from the domain fluid network. The heat exchange between the fluids is based on the thermal liquid sensible heat.

Heat Transfer Model

The block heat transfer model derives from the Effectiveness-NTU method. The steady-state heat transfer is determined based on a coefficient relating ideal to real losses in the system:

$$Q=ϵQ_{\text{Max}},$$

where

• Q the actual heat transfer rate.

• Q_Max is the ideal heat transfer rate.

• ε is the heat exchanger effectiveness, which is based on the ratio of heat capacity rates, $$\frac{C_{\text{Min}}}{C_{\text{Max}}}$$, and the exchanger Number of Transfer Units:

  $$NTU=\frac{1}{R{C}_{\text{Min}}},$$

  where R is the overall thermal resistance, which is discussed in Thermal Resistance below. C_Min is the lesser heat capacity rate of the two fluids and C_Max is the greater heat capacity rate of the two fluids. The heat capacity rate is calculated as $$C=c_{\text{p}}\dot{m}.$$

Additionally, the exchanger effectiveness depends on the number of passes between the fluids and the fluid mixing conditions. For a list of the effectiveness expressions, see the E-NTU Heat Transfer block. Connect an E-NTU Heat Transfer block to a Heat Exchanger (TL) block to specify the heat transfer properties in with the E-NTU method.

The fluid properties that the block uses in heat transfer calculations are the average between the value at the inlet and the value in the fluid volume.

Flow Arrangement

Use the Flow arrangement parameter to define the flow configuration in terms of pipe orientation or effectiveness tables. When using the shell-and-tube configuration, you can select the number of passes in the exchanger. A multi-pass exchanger resembles the image below.

A single-pass exchanger resembles the image below.

Other flow arrangements are possible through a generic parameterization by tabulated effectiveness data. This table does not require specific heat exchanger configuration details, such as flow arrangement, mixing, and passes, for modeling the heat transfer between the fluids.

Mixing Condition

Use the Cross flow type parameter to model flows that are not restricted by baffles or walls, which homogenizes fluid temperature along the direction of flow of the second fluid and varies perpendicular to the second fluid flow. Unmixed flows vary in temperature both along and perpendicular to the flow direction of the second fluid. An example of a heat exchanger with one mixed and one unmixed fluid resembles the configuration below.

A heat exchanger with two unmixed fluids resembles the configuration below.

In counter and parallel flow arrangements, longitudinal temperature variation in one fluid results in a longitudinal change in temperature variation in the second fluid and mixing is not taken into account.

Effectiveness Curves

Shell-and-tube exchangers with multiple passes (iv.b-e in the figure for 2, 3, and 4 passes) are the most effective type of heat exchanger. For single-pass heat exchangers, the counter-flow configuration (ii) is the most effective, and parallel flow (i) is the least.

Cross-flow exchangers are intermediate in effectiveness, with mixing condition playing a factor. They are most effective when both flows are unmixed (iii.a) and least effective when both flows are mixed (iii.b). Mixing just the flow with the smallest heat capacity rate (iii.c) lowers the effectiveness more than mixing just the flow with the largest heat capacity rate (iii.d).

Thermal Resistance

The overall thermal resistance, R, is the sum of the local resistances to heat transfer due to convection, conduction, and fouling along the heat exchanger walls.

$$R=\frac{1}{U_1{A}_{\text{1}}}+\frac{F_1}{A_1}+R_{\text{W}}+\frac{F_2}{A_2}+\frac{1}{U_2{A}_2},$$

where:

• U₁ is the heat transfer coefficient between the thermal liquid and the wall.

• U₂ is the heat transfer coefficient between the controlled fluid and the wall, which is received as a physical signal at port HC2.

• F₁ is the thermal liquid Fouling factor.

• F₂ is the controlled fluid Fouling factor.

• A₁ is the thermal liquid Heat transfer surface area.

• A₂ is the controlled fluid Heat transfer surface area.

• R_W is the Wall thermal resistance.

The heat transfer coefficients depend on the heat exchanger configuration and fluid properties. See the E-NTU Heat Transfer reference page for more information.

Wall Thermal Mass

If you select Enable wall thermal mass, the block models the heat exchanger wall thermal mass, which introduces a delay in the wall's transient response to changes in temperature or heat flux. If you model thermal mass, the wall stores heat in its bounds. This heat storage slows the transition between steady states so that a thermal perturbation on one side does not immediately manifest on the other side. The lag persists until the heat flow rates from the two sides balance.

If you select Enable wall thermal mass, the wall energy conservation is

$$\begin{array}{l}\left(\frac{M_{wall}{c}_{p,wall}}{2}\right)\frac{d{T}_{wal{l}_1}}{dt}=-Q_1-Q\\ \left(\frac{M_{wall}{c}_{p,wall}}{2}\right)\frac{d{T}_{wal{l}_2}}{dt}=-Q_2+Q\end{array}$$

where:

• M_wall is the value of the Wall mass parameter.

• c_p,wall is the value of the Wall specific heat parameter.

• T_wall is the effective wall temperature on each side. The block uses this value to model the transient response. You cannot measure this value.

The heat transfer to each fluid is

$$\begin{array}{l}{Q}_1=C_1\left(T_{wal{l}_1}-T_{i{n}_1}\right)\left(1-e^{-NT{U}_1}\right)\\ Q_2=C_2\left(T_{wal{l}_2}-T_{i{n}_2}\right)\left(1-e^{-NT{U}_2}\right)\end{array}$$

where:

• T_in is the fluid inlet temperature on each side.

• C is the heat capacity rate for each fluid.

The number of heat transfer units between the fluid and the wall on each side is

$$\begin{array}{l}{\text{NTU}}_1=\frac{U_1{A}_1}{C_1}\\ {\text{NTU}}_2=\frac{U_2{A}_2}{C_2}\end{array}$$

where A is the wall surface area and U is the heat transfer coefficient.

Composite Structure

When the Heat Exchanger (TL) block is a composite of the Heat Exchanger Interface (TL) and E-NTU Heat Transfer blocks:

Examples

Engine Cooling System

Model an engine cooling system with an oil cooling circuit.

• Open Model

House Heating System

Model a simple house heating system. The model contains a heater, a controller, and a house structure with four radiators and four rooms. Each room exchanges heat with the environment through its exterior walls, roof, and windows. Each path is simulated as a combination of a thermal convection, thermal conduction, and the thermal mass. It is assumed that heat is not transferred internally between rooms. The heater consists of a furnace, a boiler, an accumulator, and a pump to circulate hot water in the system. The controller starts admitting fuel into the furnace if the overall average temperature of rooms falls below 21 degree C and it stops if the temperature exceeds 25 degree C. The simulation calculates the heating cost and indoor temperatures.

• Open Model

Hydraulic Oil System with Thermal Control

A hydraulic oil system with a thermal control using Simscape™ Fluids™ Thermal Liquid blocks. The hydraulic oil system consists of an oil storage tank represented by the Tank (TL) block with two inlets, a pump represented by a Mass Flow Rate Source (TL) block, and pipelines represented by Pipe (TL) block.

• Open Model

Ports

Conserving

A1 — Thermal liquid port

thermal liquid

Opening for thermal liquid to enter and exit its side of the heat exchanger.

B1 — Thermal liquid port

thermal liquid

Opening for thermal liquid to enter and exit its side of the heat exchanger.

H2 — Entrance temperature of controlled fluid 2

thermal

Entrance temperature of controlled fluid 2.

Input

C2 — Heat capacity rate

physical signal

Instantaneous value of the heat capacity rate for the controlled flow.

HC2 — Heat transfer coefficient

physical signal

Instantaneous value of the heat transfer coefficient between the controlled flow and the wall.

Parameters

Common

Flow arrangement — Manner in which the flows align in the heat exchanger

Parallel or counter flow (default) | Shell and tube | Cross flow | Generic - effectiveness table

Manner in which the flows align in the heat exchanger. The flows can run parallel to each other, counter to each other, or across each other. They can also run in a pressurized shell, one through tubes enclosed in the shell, the other around those tubes. Other flow arrangements are possible through a generic parameterization based on tabulated effectiveness data and requiring little detail about the heat exchanger.

Number of shell passes — Number of times the flow traverses the shell before exiting

1 (default) | unitless scalar

Number of times the flow traverses the shell before exiting.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Flow arrangement to Shell and tube.

Cross flow type — Mixing condition in each of the flow channels

Both fluids mixed (default) | Both fluids unmixed | Thermal liquid mixed & Controlled Fluid unmixed | Thermal liquid unmixed & Controlled Fluid mixed

Mixing condition in each of the flow channels. Mixing in this context is the lateral movement of fluid as it proceeds along its flow channel toward the outlet. The flows remain separate from each other. Unmixed flows are common in channels with plates, baffles, or fins. This setting reflects in the effectiveness of the heat exchanger, with unmixed flows being most effective and mixed flows being least.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Flow arrangement to Shell and tube.

Number of heat transfer units vector, NTU — Number of transfer units at each breakpoint in lookup table for heat exchanger effectiveness

unitless numerical array

Number of transfer units at each breakpoint in the lookup table for the heat exchanger effectiveness number. The table is two-way, with both the number of transfer units and the thermal capacity ratio serving as independent coordinates. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the effectiveness at any number of transfer units. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The numbers specified must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. The size of the vector must equal the number of rows in the Effectiveness table parameter. If the table has m rows and n columns, the vector for the number of transfer units must be m elements long.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Flow arrangement to Generic - effectiveness table.

Thermal capacity ratio vector, CR — Thermal capacity ratio at each breakpoint in lookup table for heat exchanger effectiveness

unitless numerical array

Thermal capacity ratio at each breakpoint in lookup table for heat exchanger effectiveness. The table is two-way, with both the number of transfer units and the heat capacity rate ratio serving as independent coordinates. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the effectiveness at any thermal capacity ratio. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The thermal capacity ratios must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. The size of the vector must equal the number of columns in the Nusselt number table parameter. If the table has m rows and n columns, the vector for the thermal capacity ratio must be n elements long. The thermal capacity ratio is the fraction of minimum over maximum heat capacity rates.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Flow arrangement to Generic - effectiveness table.

Effectiveness table, E(NTU,CR) — Heat exchanger effectiveness at each breakpoint in lookup table over the number of transfer units and thermal capacity ratio

unitless numerical array

Heat exchanger effectiveness at each breakpoint in its lookup table over the number of transfer units and thermal capacity ratio. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the effectiveness at any pair of number of transfer units and thermal capacity ratio. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The effectiveness values must be not be negative. They must align from top to bottom in order of increasing number of transfer units and from left to right in order of increasing thermal capacity ratio. The number of rows must equal the size of the Number of heat transfer units vector parameter, and the number of columns must equal the size of the Thermal capacity ratio vector parameter.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Flow arrangement to Generic - effectiveness table.

Wall thermal resistance — Resistance of the wall to heat flow by thermal conduction

0 K/W (default) | scalar with units of temperature over power

Resistance of the wall to heat flow by thermal conduction, and the inverse of thermal conductance, or the product of thermal conductivity with the ratio of surface area to length. Wall resistance adds to convective and fouling resistances to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient between the flows.

Enable wall thermal mass — Option to model wall thermal mass

off (default) | on

Whether to model the heat exchanger wall thermal mass. Modeling the wall thermal mass introduces a delay in the transient response of the wall to changes in temperature or heat flux. If you clear Enable wall thermal mass, the block assumes that the wall is thin enough for the transient response to be instantaneous on the time scale of the heat transfer.

Wall mass — Heat exchanger wall mass

1 kg (default) | positive scalar

Mass of the heat exchanger wall. The block uses this value to calculate the wall thermal mass.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, select Enable wall thermal mass.

Wall specific heat — Heat exchanger wall specific heat

490 J/(K*kg) (default) | positive scalar

Specific heat of the heat exchanger wall. The block uses this value to calculate the wall thermal mass.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, select Enable wall thermal mass.

Thermal Liquid

Minimum free-flow area — Cross-sectional area of the flow channel at its narrowest point

0.01 m^2 (default) | scalar with units of length squared

Smallest total cross-sectional flow area between inlet and outlet. If the channel is a collection of ducts, tubes, slots, or grooves, the value of this parameter is the sum of the smallest areas at the minimum flow area point. This parameter is the area where the fluid velocity is highest. For example, if the fluid flows perpendicular to a bank of tubes, the value of this parameter is the sum of the gaps between the tubes in one cross-section where the sum of the gaps is smallest is smallest.

Thermal liquid volume — Total volume of fluid in the thermal liquid flow channel

0.01 m^3 (default) | scalar with units of length squared

Total volume of fluid contained in the thermal liquid flow channel.

Hydraulic diameter for pressure loss — Effective diameter of the flow channel at its narrowest point

0.1 m (default) | scalar with units of length

Effective inner diameter of the flow at its narrowest point. For channels not circular in cross section, that diameter is of an imaginary circle equal in area to the flow cross section. Its value is the ratio of the minimum free-flow area to a fourth of its gross perimeter.

If the channel is a collection of ducts, tubes, slots, or grooves, the gross perimeter is the sum of the perimeters in the collection. If the channel is a single pipe or tube and it is circular in cross section, the hydraulic diameter is the same as the true diameter.

Laminar flow upper Reynolds number limit — Start of transition between laminar and turbulent zones

2000 (default) | unitless scalar

Start of transition between laminar and turbulent zones. Above this number, inertial forces take hold and the flow grows progressively turbulent. The default value is characteristic of circular pipes and tubes with smooth surfaces.

Turbulent flow lower Reynolds number limit — End of transition between laminar and turbulent zones

4000 (default) | unitless scalar

End of transition between laminar and turbulent zones. Below this number, viscous forces take hold and the flow grows progressively laminar. The default value is characteristic of circular pipes and tubes with smooth surfaces.

Pressure loss model — Mathematical model for pressure loss by viscous friction

Pressure loss coefficient (default) | Correlation for flow inside tubes | Tabulated data - Darcy friction factor vs. Reynolds number | Tabulated data - Euler number vs. Reynolds number

Mathematical model for pressure loss by viscous friction. This setting determines which expressions to use for calculation and which block parameters to specify as input. See the Heat Exchanger Interface (TL) block for the calculations by parameterization.

Pressure loss coefficient — Aggregate loss coefficient for all flow resistances between the ports

0.1 (default) | unitless scalar

Aggregate loss coefficient for all flow resistances in the flow channel including the wall friction responsible for major loss and the local resistances, due to bends, elbows, and other geometry changes, responsible for minor loss.

The loss coefficient is an empirical dimensionless number commonly used to express the pressure loss due to viscous friction. It can be calculated from experimental data or, in some cases, obtained from product data sheets.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Pressure loss coefficient.

Length of flow path from inlet to outlet — Distance traveled from port to port

1 m (default) | scalar with units of length

Total distance the flow must travel to reach across the ports. In multi-pass shell-and-tube exchangers, the total distance is the sum over all shell passes. In tube bundles, corrugated plates, and other channels in which the flow is split into parallel branches, it is the distance covered in a single branch. The longer the flow path, the steeper the major pressure loss due to viscous friction at the wall.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Correlation for flow inside tubes or Tabulated data - Darcy friction factor vs Reynolds number.

Aggregate equivalent length of local resistances — Aggregate minor pressure loss expressed as a length

0.1 m (default) | scalar with units of length

Aggregate minor pressure loss expressed as a length. This length is that which all local resistances, such as elbows, tees, and unions, would add to the flow path if in their place was a simple wall extension. The larger the equivalent length, the steeper the minor pressure loss due to the local resistances.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Correlation for flow inside tubes.

Internal surface absolute roughness — Mean height of surface protrusions behind wall friction

15e-6 m (default) | scalar with units of length

Mean height of the surface protrusions from which wall friction arises. Higher protrusions mean a rougher wall for more friction and so a steeper pressure loss. Surface roughness features in the Haaland correlation from which the Darcy friction factor derives and on which the pressure loss calculation depends.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Correlation for flow inside tubes.

Laminar friction constant for Darcy friction factor — Pressure loss correction for flow cross section in laminar flow conditions

64 (default) | unitless scalar

Pressure loss correction for flow cross section in laminar flow conditions. This parameter is commonly referred to as the shape factor. Its ratio to the Reynolds number gives the Darcy friction factor for the pressure loss calculation in the laminar zone. The default value belongs to cylindrical pipes and tubes.

The shape factor derives for certain shapes from the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. A square duct has a shape factor of 56, a rectangular duct with aspect ratio of 2:1 has a shape factor of 62, and an annular tube has a shape factor of 96, as does a slender conduit between parallel plates.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Correlation for flow inside tubes.

Reynolds number vector for Darcy friction factor — Reynolds number at each breakpoint in lookup table for Darcy friction factor

unitless numerical array

Reynolds number at each breakpoint in the lookup table for the Darcy friction factor. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Darcy friction factor at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Reynolds numbers must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. They can span across laminar, transient, and turbulent zones. Their number must equal the size of the Darcy friction factor vector parameter, with which they are to combine to complete the tabulated breakpoints.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Tabulated data - Darcy friction factor vs. Reynolds number.

Darcy friction factor vector — Darcy friction factor at each breakpoint in lookup table over Reynolds number

unitless numerical array

Darcy friction factor at each breakpoint in its lookup table over the Reynolds number. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Darcy friction factor at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Darcy friction factors must not be negative and they must align from left to right in order of increasing Reynolds number. Their number must equal the size of the Reynolds number vector for Darcy friction factor parameter, with which they are to combine to complete the tabulated breakpoints.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Tabulated data - Darcy friction factor vs. Reynolds number.

Reynolds number vector for Euler number — Reynolds number at each breakpoint in lookup table for Euler number

unitless numerical array

Reynolds number at each breakpoint in the lookup table for the Euler number. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Euler number at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Reynolds numbers must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. They can span across laminar, transient, and turbulent zones. Their number must equal the size of the Euler number vector parameter, with which they are to combine to complete the tabulated breakpoints.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Tabulated data - Euler number vs. Reynolds number.

Euler number vector — Euler number at each breakpoint in lookup table over Reynolds number

unitless numerical array

Euler number at each breakpoint in its lookup table over the Reynolds number. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Euler number at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Euler numbers must not be negative and they must align from left to right in order of increasing Reynolds number. Their number must equal the size of the Reynolds number vector for Euler number parameter, with which they are to combine to complete the tabulated breakpoints.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pressure loss model to Tabulated data - Euler number vs. Reynolds number.

Heat transfer coefficient model — Mathematical model for heat transfer between fluid and wall

Constant heat transfer coefficient (default) | Correlation for flow inside tubes | Tabulated data - Colburn factor vs. Reynolds number | Tabulated data - Nusselt number vs. Reynolds number and Prandtl number

Mathematical model for heat transfer between fluid and wall. The choice of model determines which expressions to apply and which parameters to specify for heat transfer calculation. See the E-NTU Heat Transfer block for the calculations by parameterization.

Heat transfer surface area — Effective surface area used in heat transfer between fluid and wall

0.4 m^2 (default) | scalar with units of length squared

Effective surface area used in heat transfer between fluid and wall. The effective surface area is the sum of primary and secondary surface areas, or those of the wall, where it is exposed to fluid, and of the fins, if any are used. Fin surface area is normally scaled by a fin efficiency factor.

Liquid-wall heat transfer coefficient — Heat transfer coefficient for convection between fluid and wall

100 W/(K*m^2) (default) | scalar

Heat transfer coefficient for convection between fluid and wall. Resistance due to fouling is captured separately in the Fouling factor parameter.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Constant heat transfer coefficient.

Length of flow path for heat transfer — Characteristic length traversed in heat transfer between fluid and wall

1 m (default) | scalar with units of length

Characteristic length traversed in heat transfer between fluid and wall. This length factors in the calculation of the hydraulic diameter from which the heat transfer coefficient and the Reynolds number, as defined in the tabulated heat transfer parameterizations, derives.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Tabulated data - Colburn factor vs. Reynolds number or Tabulated data - Nusselt number vs. Reynolds number and Prandtl number.

Nusselt number for laminar flow heat transfer — Constant assumed for Nusselt number in laminar flow

3.66 (default) | positive unitless scalar

Constant assumed for Nusselt number in laminar flow. The Nusselt number factors in the calculation of the heat transfer coefficient between fluid and wall, on which the heat transfer rate depends. The default value belongs to cylindrical pipes and tubes.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Correlation for flow inside tubes.

Reynolds number vector for Colburn factor — Values of the Reynolds number at which to specify the Colburn factor data

unitless numerical array

Reynolds number at each breakpoint in the lookup table for the Colburn factor. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Colburn factor at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Reynolds numbers must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. They can span across laminar, transient, and turbulent zones. Their number must equal the size of the Colburn factor vector parameter, with which they are to combine to complete the tabulated breakpoints.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Tabulated data - Colburn factor vs. Reynolds number.

Colburn factor vector — Colburn factor at each breakpoint in lookup table over Reynolds number

unitless numerical array

Colburn factor at each breakpoint in its lookup table over the Reynolds number. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Euler number at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Colburn factors must not be negative and they must align from left to right in order of increasing Reynolds number. Their number must equal the size of the Reynolds number vector for Colburn factor parameter, with which they are to combine to complete the tabulated breakpoints.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Tabulated data - Colburn factor vs. Reynolds number.

Reynolds number vector for Nusselt number — Reynolds number at each breakpoint in lookup table for Nusselt number

unitless numerical array

Reynolds number at each breakpoint in the lookup table for the Nusselt number. The table is two-way, with both Reynolds and Prandtl numbers serving as independent coordinates. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Nusselt number at any Reynolds number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Reynolds numbers must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. They can span across laminar, transient, and turbulent zones. The size of the vector must equal the number of rows in the Nusselt number table parameter. If the table has m rows and n columns, the Reynolds number vector must be m elements long.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Tabulated data - Nusselt number vs. Reynolds number and Prandtl number.

Prandtl number vector for Nusselt number — Prandtl number at each breakpoint in lookup table for Nusselt number

unitless numerical array

Prandtl number at each breakpoint in the lookup table for the Nusselt number. The table is two-way, with both Reynolds and Prandtl numbers serving as independent coordinates. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Nusselt number at any Prandtl number. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest.

The Prandtl numbers must be greater than zero and increase monotonically from left to right. They can span across laminar, transient, and turbulent zones. The size of the vector must equal the number of columns in the Nusselt number table parameter. If the table has m rows and n columns, the Prandtl number vector must be n elements long.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Tabulated data - Nusselt number vs. Reynolds number and Prandtl number.

Nusselt number table, Nu (Re,Pr) — Nusselt number at each breakpoint in lookup table over Reynolds and Prandtl numbers

unitless numerical array

Nusselt number at each breakpoint in its lookup table over the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. The block inter- and extrapolates the breakpoints to obtain the Nusselt number at any pair of Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. Interpolation is linear and extrapolation is nearest. By determining the Nusselt number, the table feeds the calculation from which the heat transfer coefficient between fluid and wall derives.

The Nusselt numbers must be greater than zero. They must align from top to bottom in order of increasing Reynolds number and from left to right in order of increasing Prandtl numbers. The number of rows must equal the size of the Reynolds number vector for Nusselt number parameter, and the number of columns must equal the size of the Prandtl number vector for Nusselt number parameter.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Heat transfer coefficient model to Tabulated data - Nusselt number vs. Reynolds number and Prandtl number.

Fouling factor — Measure of thermal resistance due to fouling deposits

1e-4 K*m^2/W (default) | scalar with units of temperature over power

Measure of thermal resistance due to fouling deposits which over time tend to build on the exposed surfaces of the wall. The deposits, as they impose between the fluid and wall a new solid layer through which heat must traverse, add to the heat transfer path an extra thermal resistance. Fouling deposits grow slowly and the resistance due to them is accordingly assumed constant during simulation.

Minimum liquid-wall heat transfer coefficient — Lower bound for the heat transfer coefficient

1 W/(m^2 * K) (default) | scalar with units of power/area/temperature

Lower bound for the heat transfer coefficient between fluid and wall. If calculation returns a lower heat transfer coefficient, this bound replaces the calculated value.

Controlled Fluid

Heat transfer surface area — Aggregate heat transfer surface area on the controlled fluid side

0.4 m^2 (default) | scalar with units of length squared

Aggregate heat transfer surface area on the controlled fluid side

Fouling factor — Measure of thermal resistance due to fouling deposits

1e-4 K*m^2/W (default) | scalar with units of length squared times temperature over power

Measure of thermal resistance due to fouling deposits which over time tend to build on the exposed surfaces of the wall. The deposits, as they impose between the controlled fluid and wall a new solid layer through which heat must traverse, add to the heat transfer path an extra thermal resistance. Fouling deposits grow slowly and the resistance due to them is accordingly assumed constant during simulation.

Minimum fluid-wall heat transfer coefficient — Lower bound for the heat transfer coefficient

1 W/(m^2 * K) (default) | scalar with units of power/area/temperature

Lower bound for the heat transfer coefficient between the controlled fluid and wall. If calculation returns a lower heat transfer coefficient, this bound replaces the calculated value.

Effects and Initial Conditions

Enable Thermal Liquid dynamic compressibility — Setting for liquid compressibility in heat exchanger

On (default) | Off | scalar

Option to model the pressure dynamics inside the heat exchanger. Setting this parameter to Off removes the pressure derivative terms from the component energy and mass conservation equations. The pressure inside the heat exchanger is then reduced to the weighted average of the two port pressures.

Thermal Liquid nominal temperature — Temperature at nominal operating conditions

293.15 K (default) | scalar

Thermal liquid temperature at nominal operating conditions. The block uses this value to calculate the nominal density to use in the mass and energy conservation equation when dynamic compressibility is disabled.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, clear the Enable Thermal Liquid dynamic compressibility checkbox.

Thermal Liquid nominal pressure — Pressure at nominal operating conditions

0.101325 MPa (default) | scalar

Thermal liquid pressure at nominal operating conditions. The block uses this value to calculate the nominal density to use in the mass and energy conservation equation when dynamic compressibility is disabled.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, clear the Enable Thermal Liquid dynamic compressibility checkbox.

Thermal Liquid initial temperature — Temperature in the thermal liquid channel at the start of simulation

293.15 K (default) | scalar with units of temperature

Temperature in the thermal liquid channel at the start of simulation

Thermal Liquid initial pressure — Pressure in the thermal liquid channel at the start of simulation

0.101325 MPa (default) | scalar with units of pressure

Pressure in the thermal liquid channel at the start of simulation.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, select Enable Thermal Liquid dynamic compressibility .

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

Version History

Introduced in R2016a

R2025a: Model thermal mass of heat exchanger wall

Select Wall thermal dynamics to model the thermal mass of the heat exchanger wall.

R2024a: Heat Exchanger (TL) block only models E-NTU modeling option

The Modeling option parameter has been removed, and the modeling options are now two separate blocks. The Heat Exchanger (TL) block uses the heat transfer model that was previously used when Modeling option was E-NTU Model. To use the block model used when Modeling option was Simple model, see the Specific Dissipation Heat Exchanger (TL) block.