51 - Heat Exchangers - LMTD Method
Completion requirements
14. Correction Factor for LMTD - F for 1-2 Exchanger
$F$ for 1-2 Exchanger:
Generally \(F\) is less than unity for cross-flow and multipass arrangements; it is unity for true countercurrent flow heat exchanger.
\(F\) represents the degree of departure of the true mean temperature difference from the LMTD for the counterflow.
It should be noted that in case of condensation or evaporation the correction factor becomes unity (\(F =1\)).
While designing a heat exchanger, the rule of thumb is that the \(F\) should not be less than 0.8.