Math & Numbers
Heat Exchanger LMTD Calculator (Log Mean Temperature Difference)
Compute the Log Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD) of a heat exchanger for parallel or counter flow. Parallel flow: ΔT₁ = T_h,in - T_c,in and ΔT₂ = T_h,out - T_c,out; counter flow: ΔT₁ = T_h,in - T_c,out and ΔT₂ = T_h,out - T_c,in. LMTD = (ΔT₁ - ΔT₂)/ln(ΔT₁/ΔT₂), or ΔT₁ when ΔT₁ = ΔT₂. A non-positive terminal difference (temperature cross) is physically impossible and is rejected. Optionally, with the overall heat transfer coefficient U (W/(m²·K)) and the heat transfer area A (m²), the heat transfer rate Q = U·A·LMTD (W) is returned. Temperatures are used only as differences: Δ°C = ΔK and Δ°F ×5/9 = ΔK; the LMTD is reported in K.