Performance evaluation criteria for heat exchangers based on first law analysis

Many performance evaluation criteria (PEC) have been developed for evaluating the performance of heat exchangers. These may be categorized as criteria based on the first law of thermodynamics, and criteria based on the second law of thermodynamics. The PEC for heat exchangers based on the second law of thermodynamics have been collectively presented and reviewed in another article [Yilmaz et al. (2001) Performance Evaluation Criteria for Heat Exchangers Based on Second Law Analysis, Exergy Int. J., Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 278-294]. The current article presents an overview of the PEC for heat exchangers based on the first law of thermodynamics. Emphasis is on the PEC for enhanced heat transfer surfaces. Approximately 100 PEC are presented and reviewed, and their respective characteristics and constraints are given. The article also shows how several of the PEC are related to each other.