What is the purpose of a heat exchanger?

The main purpose of a heat exchanger is to transfer heat between two or more fluids. This process is crucial in various applications, including heating, cooling, and energy recovery systems. Heat exchangers operate on the principle of thermal conduction, where heat moves from the hotter fluid to the cooler fluid without mixing the two fluids.

In many systems, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), power plants, and refrigeration, efficient heat transfer is essential for optimizing performance and energy consumption. By effectively transferring heat, heat exchangers help regulate temperatures within processes, which is fundamental to maintaining operational efficiency and achieving desired outcomes in thermal management.

While maintaining temperature, cooling down fluids, or increasing pressure may be secondary effects or benefits associated with a heat exchanger's operation, the primary and defining function remains the transfer of heat between the fluids involved.