IntroductionTransfer Techniques: What Role for the Engineer?

I.1. Energy and mass transfers in industry

Within different industries, products are often elaborated through the transformation of several inputs. In most cases, various manipulations of the inputs are involved before arriving at the desired end products. Through these manipulations, the initial inputs undergo multiple transformations during which they are heated, cooled or even consumed in order to give rise to new components.

It is obvious that heating or cooling will require energy exchange between the components of the process considered. In the same way, generation of new products implies chemical reactions between the inputs.

Thus, during the course of these transformations, several types of transfer take place between the inputs. Energy and mass transfers are the most significant. Whilst mass transfers are mainly conducted to purify or to elaborate products, energy transfers are intended to provide the calories necessary for heating, as well as cooling or air conditioning, delivering the heat for an endothermic chemical reaction, or cooling a nuclear reactor, etc.

I.2. Practical examples

I.2.1. Oil extraction and refining

We already know that in order to manufacture the different fuels that we use for our convenience (gasoline or kerosene, for example), we first have to proceed with the extraction of oil, onshore or offshore.

Figure I.1. Onshore crude oil extraction (https://pixabay.com/fr/gréer-texas-591934 ...

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