Heat exchanger dynamic analysis

•Energy balance model yielding the system governing, partial differential equations.•The multivariable, multi-dimensional, Laplace transformed formulation of heat exchanger representations.•A frequency domain description of the system model is derived enabling the recovery of rationality.•The system is irrational in terms of s for both parallel and counter flow heat exchanger models. The modeling and dynamic analysis of shell and tube heat exchangers will be considered in this contribution. Procedures which incorporate the heat transfer and the fluid flow system properties, for these processes, will be developed. An incremental, energy balance yielding the system, partial differential equations presents the governing process. The multivariable, multi-dimensional, Laplace transformed, distributed parameter formulation of heat exchanger representations, are provided. A frequency domain description of the system model is derived enabling the recovery of Laplace function rationality for both parallel and counter flow heat exchanger models. Suitable feedback control techniques are identified, as a prelude to closed loop design studies. The dynamics, for tubular heat exchangers are computed, for purposes of comparison with alternative response and regulation approaches. A typical application study is outlined.