Exam Question
With reference to a tubular heat exchanger, state the various types used on board a ship and explain with sketches how the construction, flow pattern, baffles, differ from each other depending upon the medium in use. (16)
Class 2 (2nd Engineer)
MEKG
📅 Oct 2025
Reference Answer
### Introduction to Tubular Heat Exchangers
A tubular heat exchanger, commonly of the shell-and-tube design, is a ubiquitous and critical component on board ships used for transferring thermal energy between two or more fluids. Its primary function is to either heat or cool a process fluid. The design and construction are fundamentally dictated by the physical and chemical properties of the fluids involved (the media), the required rate of heat transfer, and the operational pressures and temperatures.
The fundamental principle of heat transfer is governed by the equation:
$$ Q = U \times A \times \Delta T_{lm} $$
A tubular heat exchanger, commonly of the shell-and-tube design, is a ubiquitous and critical component on board ships used for transferring thermal energy between two or more fluids. Its primary function is to either heat or cool a process fluid. The design and construction are fundamentally dictated by the physical and chemical properties of the fluids involved (the media), the required rate of heat transfer, and the operational pressures and temperatures.
The fundamental principle of heat transfer is governed by the equation:
$$ Q = U \times A \times \Delta T_{lm} $$
Full answer on MeoMock — surveyor-grade reference answers for 7,000+ written exam questions.
Prepare on Android — MeoMock on Google Play