Question

What is meant by heat transfer coefficient?

(a) The heat transfer coefficient is the heat transferred per unit volume per kelvin

(b) The heat transfer coefficient is the heat transferred per unit area per kelvin

(c) The heat transfer coefficient is the heat transferred per unit volume per Celsius

(d) The heat transfer coefficient is the heat transferred per unit area per Celsius

This question was addressed to me in my homework.

My query is from Heat Transfer in Evaporators topic in chapter Evaporation of Food Processing Unit Operations

Answer 1

Right option is (b) The heat transfer coefficient is the heat transferred per unit area per kelvin

Easiest explanation: It is the heat transferred per unit area per kelvin. The area included in the equation represents the area over which the heat transfer takes place. The areas for each flow are different as they signify the contact area for each fluid side.