Table 11.4 - Heat Exchanger NTU Relations

Flow Arrangement Relation
Parallel flow
NTU=−ln[1−ε(1+Cr)]1+Cr
Counterflow
NTU=1Cr−1lnε−1εCr−1Cr<1NTU=ε1−εCr=1
Shell-and-tube  
One shell pass (2, 4, . . . tube passes)
(NTU)1=−(1+Cr2)−1/2ln(E−1E+1)
E=2/ε1−(1+Cr)(1+Cr2)1/2
n shell passes (2n, 4n, . . . tube passes) Use Equations 11.30b and 11.30c with
ε1=F−1F−CrF=(εCr−1ε−1)1/nNTU=n(NTU)1
Cross-flow (single pass)  
Cmax (mixed), Cmin (unmixed)
(11.33b)
NTU=−ln[1+(1Cr)ln(1−εCr)]
Cmin (mixed), Cmax (unmixed)
NTU=−(1Cr)ln[Crln(1−ε)+1]
All exchangers (Cr = 0)
NTU=−ln(1−ε)