Heat exchange
Encyclopedia
Heat exchange may refer to:
- Heat transferHeat transferHeat transfer is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the exchange of thermal energy from one physical system to another. Heat transfer is classified into various mechanisms, such as heat conduction, convection, thermal radiation, and phase-change transfer...
, an area of engineering concerned with the transfer of thermal energy (heat) - Heat exchangerHeat exchangerA heat exchanger is a piece of equipment built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another. The media may be separated by a solid wall, so that they never mix, or they may be in direct contact...
, a device built for heat transfer from one medium to another- Air conditioner, a device that cools interior air, such as that of a building or vehicle
- Heat sinkHeat sinkA heat sink is a term for a component or assembly that transfers heat generated within a solid material to a fluid medium, such as air or a liquid. Examples of heat sinks are the heat exchangers used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and the radiator in a car...
, a device used to absorb energy, typically by using its large mass to raise its temperature slightly or by changing phase - RadiatorRadiatorRadiators are heat exchangers used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in automobiles, buildings, and electronics...
, a device used to either move heat away from an object or heat an interior space by circulating a fluid through thin metal tubes - RefrigeratorRefrigeratorA refrigerator is a common household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room...
, a device used to cool objects or interior spaces - Space heater, a device used to heat spaces, typically interior spaces