250+ TOP MCQs on Tube Heat Exchangers – Heat Transfer Area, Tube Diameter, Length and Tube Arrangements

Heat Transfer Operations Questions and Answers for Experienced people on “Tube Heat Exchangers – Heat Transfer Area, Tube Diameter, Length and Tube Arrangements”.

1. In a shell and tube heat exchanger, the heat transfer area is maximum for ________
a) Concurrent
b) Counter current
c) Concurrent at a part and Counter current at the other
d) Mixed flow

Answer: a
Clarification: In a shell and tube HE when the fluids are flowing in their respective paths, the LMTD is minimum for Concurrent flow hence for a particular temperature change, area is maximum.

2. If the Heat Transfer area for a Shell and tube heat exchanger is 15000mm², and the radius of the tubes is 30mm, then what is the length of the tubes required?
a) 16cm
b) 15.9cm
c) 13cm
d) 15cm

Answer: b
Clarification: Given the area is 15000mm², we have the heat transfer area in terms of the tube diameter as A = πDL = 15000mm² or L = 15000/3.14×30 = 159 mm = 15.9cm.

3. If the Heat Transfer area for a Shell and tube heat exchanger is 15100mm², and the radius of the tubes is 30mm, then what is the number of hairpins required if its single pass length is 4cm?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

Answer: b
Clarification: Given the area is 15100mm², we have the heat transfer area in terms of the tube diameter as A = πDL = 15100mm² or L = 15100/3.14×30 = 160 mm = 16cm. As the length of a single pass hairpin is 4cm, its length is 8cm, hence we require n = 16/8 = 2hairpins.

4. What are the ways can tubes be arranged in a shell and tube HE?
a) Half parallel flow arrangement & Semi parallel flow arrangement
b) Hairpin arrangement & Full parallel flow arrangement
c) Full parallel flow arrangement & Half parallel flow arrangement
d) Hairpin arrangement & Half parallel flow arrangement

Answer: b
Clarification: In a shell and tube HE, we can arrange the tubes in two different ways; they are (i) Hairpin arrangement, (ii) Full parallel flow arrangement.

5. Why do we provide baffles? Choose the option that is incorrect.
a) To support the tubes
b) To increase turbulence in the shell side
c) Sometimes behave as fins
d) Increases Heat transfer Coefficient

Answer: c
Clarification: Baffles are specially provided to act as mechanical support to the tubes and increase the turbulence on the shell side. The consequence of this leads to an increase in the overall heat transfer coefficient.

6. What is the number of baffles in the shell side if the baffle spacing is 6cm and Length of the setup is 90cm?
a) 15
b) 12
c) 14
d) 16

Answer: c
Clarification: The number of baffles is defined as N, where N+1 = L/B = 90/6 = 15, hence N = 14.

7. What is the correct expression for the number of passes in shell side of a shell and tube HE?
a) L/B
b) L/B – 1
c) L/B + 1
d) B/L

Answer: a
Clarification: The number of baffles required is given by N = L/B – 1. Hence the number of passes is equal to N + 1 = L/B. Thus the correct answer is L/B.

8. Doughnut shaped baffles are one of the commonly used baffles in the industry.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Clarification: Baffles can be divided into three parts, segmental, doughnut and orifice. Thus all three of these baffles are widely used in the industries.

9. The number of possible baffles classification are______
a) Doughnut and disc baffles
b) Orifice and disc baffles
c) Segmental, Doughnut and Orifice baffles
d) Segmental, Doughnut and shell baffles

Answer: c
Clarification: The three classes of baffles can be presented as: Segmental, Doughnut and Orifice baffles. The segmental baffles are further classified as double, triple, etc segmental.

10. If we desire to have 5 shell passes for a shell of length 40cm, what is the baffle spacing in the shell side?
a) 8cm
b) 7cm
c) 6cm
d) 5cm

Answer: a
Clarification: The number of shell passes can be represented as: N = L/B or B = L/N = 40/5 = 8cm.

11. Shell and tube HE as well as baffle designs are made by strictly following the standards of______
a) TERA
b) AESA
c) TEMA
d) AISA

Answer: c
Clarification: The design for baffles of a shell and tube heat exchangers are strictly made by following the standards of the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA).