Performance evaluation criteria for heat exchangers based on second law analysis

This paper presents second-law based performance evaluation criteria to evaluate the performance of heat exchangers. First, the need for the systematic design of heat exchangers using a second law-based procedure is recalled and discussed. Then, a classification of second-law based performance criteria is presented:

• 1.

  criteria that use entropy as evaluation parameter, and

• 2.

  criteria that use exergy as evaluation parameter.

Both classes are collectively presented and reviewed, and their respective characteristics and constraints are given. It is shown how some of these criteria are related to each other. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of second law-based thermoeconomic analysis of heat exchangers, and these methods are discussed briefly.