Description
Return terminal exchanger temperature approaches.
Heat-flow and specific-enthalpy terms depend on a sign convention, a reference state and compatible mass/time bases. A temperature shift, heat-duty residual or latent-energy ratio evaluates a supplied model without determining heat-transfer feasibility, actual properties or equipment performance.
Return terminal exchanger temperature approaches.
When to use this tool
Use Exchanger Terminal Approach Gap when checking the stated thermal, reference-state or energy-balance convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter hotIn, hotOut, coldIn, coldOut, countercurrent. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read firstApproach, secondApproach, minimumApproach. Use the output convention below.
Return terminal exchanger temperature approaches. Countercurrent compares hotIn-coldOut and hotOut-coldIn; cocurrent compares corresponding inlet/inlet and outlet/outlet; minimumApproach is their minimum.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| hotIn | Hot In | Required. Finite number. |
| hotOut | Hot Out | Required. Finite number. |
| coldIn | Cold In | Required. Finite number. |
| coldOut | Cold Out | Required. Finite number. |
| countercurrent | Countercurrent | Required. Boolean. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| firstApproach | First Approach | Required. Finite number. |
| secondApproach | Second Approach | Required. Finite number. |
| minimumApproach | Minimum Approach | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"hotIn": 100,
"hotOut": 60,
"coldIn": 20,
"coldOut": 50,
"countercurrent": true
},
"output": {
"firstApproach": 50,
"secondApproach": 40,
"minimumApproach": 40
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Negative approaches are retained; actual temperature profiles, heat duty, pinch feasibility and exchanger design are not solved.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified state-dependent properties and the complete heat/work balance; evaluate heat transfer and equipment constraints separately for engineering decisions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
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