Donald Q. Kern’s Process Heat Transfer (1950) remains a cornerstone textbook in chemical and mechanical engineering, particularly for the design and rating of shell-and-tube heat exchangers, condensers, reboilers, and evaporators. Unlike modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches, Kern’s method relies on algebraic equations, empirical correlations (e.g., for tube-side and shell-side heat transfer coefficients), and iterative manual calculations. Consequently, the for Kern’s text is not merely an answer key—it is a pedagogical tool that demonstrates systematic problem-solving, proper use of correction factors, and avoidance of common computational traps.
Using the manual as a debugging tool. Solve the problem yourself for two hours. When you get stuck, open the manual to step 4. Compare your logic to Kern’s. Did you select the wrong viscosity? Did you forget to correct for tube length? The manual acts as a silent tutor. process heat transfer kern solution manual
Do not use the manual. The PE exam provides its own reference handbook. The Kern manual is too dependent on his specific textbook’s notation. Donald Q