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Engineering Reference

Heat Exchanger Typical U-Values Reference

Typical overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) ranges for common heat exchanger types and fluid combinations. Use for preliminary sizing estimates — not final design values.

TypeEngineering reference — data table with context

Purpose

This reference provides typical overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) ranges for common heat exchanger types and fluid combinations. Use these values for preliminary sizing estimates only — they indicate the order of magnitude expected in clean or moderately fouled service and are not design values.

Caution

These are typical ranges for preliminary sizing.

Actual U-values depend on fluid properties, velocities, geometry, fouling, and operating conditions. Confirm with detailed thermal-hydraulic design or vendor data before procurement. Do not use these values as final design basis.

Typical overall heat transfer coefficients

HX typeHot sideCold sideU (W/m²·K)U (BTU/h·ft²·°F)Source
Shell & TubeWaterWater800–1500140–265Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
Shell & TubeSteam (condensing)Water1000–3500175–615Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Table 11-5
Shell & TubeLight organicsWater350–90060–160Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
Shell & TubeHeavy organicsWater60–30010–53Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
Shell & TubeWaterLight oil250–75044–130Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Table 11-5
Shell & TubeGas (low pressure)Gas (low pressure)10–502–9Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
Shell & TubeGas (high pressure)Gas (high pressure)100–40018–70Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
Shell & TubeSteam (condensing)Light organics500–100088–175Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Table 11-5
PlateWaterWater2000–5000350–880Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
PlateLight organicsWater800–1500140–265Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
PlateSteam (condensing)Water2000–5000350–880Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Table 11-5
Air-cooledWaterAir300–60053–105Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1
Air-cooledLight organicsAir100–30018–53Coulson & Richardson Vol. 6, Table 12.1

All values are approximate ranges. Do not interpolate between rows or extrapolate beyond listed conditions.

Units

  • •SI: W/(m²·K) — watts per square metre kelvin
  • •Imperial: BTU/(h·ft²·°F) — BTU per hour per square foot per degree Fahrenheit
  • •Conversion factor: 1 W/(m²·K) = 0.17611 BTU/(h·ft²·°F). Use the W/(m²·K) to BTU/(h·ft²·°F) converter for exact values.

Assumptions

  • •Values assume typical industrial velocities and geometries (not optimised or unusual configurations).
  • •Shell-and-tube values assume standard TEMA baffle cuts and tube pitches.
  • •Plate heat exchanger values assume standard corrugated plates.
  • •Ranges represent clean to moderately fouled conditions unless noted otherwise.
  • •Gas-side U-values assume no fins — finned-tube exchangers will have higher effective U-values.

Boundaries and exclusions

  • •No condensation or boiling U-values — phase-change services require dedicated correlations.
  • •No polymer, ceramic, or exotic-metallurgy exchangers.
  • •No slurry or highly viscous services — these require significant derating.
  • •Not applicable to scraped-surface, spiral, or double-pipe exchangers without further context.

How to use this in calculations

  1. 01Calculate the heat duty Q using the Heat Duty Calculator.
  2. 02Calculate the LMTD using the LMTD Calculator. Apply the F correction factor if multi-pass.
  3. 03Select an initial U-value from the table above based on your fluid combination and HX type.
  4. 04Apply fouling resistance to obtain U_dirty. See the Fouling Factors Reference.
  5. 05Calculate the required area using the Heat Exchanger Area Calculator: A = Q / (U_dirty × LMTD_corrected), with design margin.

Sources

  • •Coulson & Richardson's Chemical Engineering, Volume 6: Chemical Engineering Design, Table 12.1
  • •Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, 9th Edition, Table 11-5

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