Colburn-Chilton j factor
or
The Colburn-Chilton j-factor, often denoted as , is a dimensionless parameter used in heat transfer analysis to characterize the performance of a heat exchanger. It’s named after two researchers, L.M.K. Colburn and T.H. Chilton, who independently developed correlations for convective heat transfer coefficients in the mid-20th century.
Colburn-Chilton j factor is used in heat transfer in general and free and forced convection calculations in particular. It is equivalent to (St.Pr^2/3). It is normally defined in one of the following forms above
Where: | ||
Cp | = | Heat capacity |
G | = | Mass velocity |
h | = | Heat transfer coefficient |
k | = | Thermal Conductivity |
mu | = | Viscosity |
rho | = | Density |
V | = | Velocity |
The Colburn-Chilton j-factor is commonly used in the analysis and design of various heat exchangers, including shell-and-tube, plate, and finned tube heat exchangers. It helps engineers characterize the effectiveness of heat transfer in these systems and optimize their performance. Additionally, correlations based on the j-factor are available for different types of flow regimes and geometries, providing valuable insights for heat exchanger design and operation.
