Once the appropriate heat exchanger has been installed and set up, all other functions can be performed under computer control.
Appropriate measures have been implemented so that in the case of computer failure or communications breakdown, the system shuts itself down in a safe manner.
A wide selection of heat exchanger options are available for use with the HT30XC. Ranging from simple exchangers to demonstrate co-current and counter-current flow, to reconfigurable systems with interim temperature measurements, capable of being used for in-depth heat exchanger analysis.
The heat exchangers are easily interchanged, with quick release fittings on the flexible interconnecting tubes, and a simple location system using thumbscrews to secure the exchangers onto the service unit.
Hardware Description
The service unit provides two fluid streams to the heat exchanger, a hot water stream and a cold water stream. The hot water stream is heated in a vessel fitted with an electric heater.
The heater is switched on and off by a solid state relay (SSR), which is under software control. A thermostat limits the maximum water temperature to 75°C for operator safety.
A centrifugal pump circulates water from the vessel, through the heat exchanger and back into the heater vessel. The pump speed is under software control, while the direction can easily be reversed using the quick release pipe couplings enabling co-current and counter-current investigations over a wide range of flow rates.
The cold water stream is generated from a mains water supply. The flow through the heat exchanger is adjusted by a variable flow valve, again under software control. A manually adjustable pressure regulator is used to minimise the effect of mains pressure fluctuations. Conditioning circuits for up to 10 K-type thermo-couples are included, (the thermocouples themselves are supplied with the heat exchangers).
The instrumentation also includes flowmeters to measure the flow rates of the two fluid streams. Switching on the unit puts it into “Standby” mode. From this mode it is necessary for a regular series of pulses to be received from the software (via the built in USB interface) to fully power up the unit. This ensures that unless the control software is running, the heaters, the pump and the cold water control valve cannot be switched on.
The unit also includes an emergency stop switch. All electrical circuits are located in a bench mounted ABS supporting base, and protected by a Residual Current Device (RSD) for operator safety. The ABS base includes a drip tray and drain tap in case of water spillage or leakage.
