Food Engineering
Overall heat transfer coefficient U
The combined conductance of all resistances between two fluids — convective films, wall conduction and fouling — used as Q = UAΔTlm.
Real-life application
Used by dairy and beverage plants to design pasteurisers and evaporators that heat or cool product efficiently at scale.
Related terms
Log mean temperature difference
Food EngineeringThe logarithmic average of the temperature differences at each end of a heat exchanger, used because the difference varies along its length.
Fouling
Food EngineeringThe deposition of protein, mineral or burnt-on residue on heat exchanger surfaces during processing, adding a thermal resistance and restricting flow.
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