Problem 2.1: At a heat exchanger what roles do conduction

From Chapter 2 Problem Set. Level 1: Conceptual Mastery.

Question

At a heat exchanger, what roles do conduction, convection, and wetting each play in transferring heat into flowing water?

Answer

Show answer

Conduction transfers energy through the heat-exchanger wall and into the thin layer of water touching it. Convection carries the warmed water away and replaces it with cooler bulk water. Wetting helps maintain contact between the water and the surface, increasing the area available for conduction.