In the counterflow temperature profile diagram, if the flow direction of the cold fluid is reversed to parallel flow with the same fluid stream capacities, the LMTD will:
Options:
(A) Strictly decrease
(B) Strictly increase
(C) Remain identical
(D) Approach infinity
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
For the same inlet and outlet fluid temperatures, the logarithmic mean temperature difference for counterflow is always higher than for parallel flow ($LMTD_{\text{counter}} > LMTD_{\text{parallel}}$).