7. Comparison between Co-current and Counter-current

  • To achieve greater heat recovery, a counter-current design is preferred to that of a co-current design.

  • If we want to ensure that the temperature of the cold fluid never exceeds a particular temperature, then co-current exchanger designs are advantageous.

  • Suppose one of the two interacting fluids is undergoing a phase change due to the heat transfer (e.g.: condensation of saturated steam), then both designs are identical.