Countercurrent exchange
Countercurrent exchange
Countercurrent exchange (pronunciation: /ˈkaʊntərˌkʌrənt ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/) is a mechanism occurring in nature and mimicked in industry and engineering, involving a crossover of some property, usually heat or some component, between two flowing bodies flowing in opposite directions to each other.
Etymology
The term "countercurrent" is derived from the Latin contra meaning "against" and currere meaning "to run". The term "exchange" comes from the Old French eschange, meaning "to exchange, interchange, reciprocally give and take".
Definition
In a countercurrent exchange system, two parallel pipes or tubes are set up to allow flow of two substances in opposite directions. The purpose of this system is to allow for the exchange of heat or matter from one flow to the other, maximizing the efficiency of the exchange.
Related Terms
- Heat exchanger: A device used to transfer heat between two or more fluids.
- Diffusion: The process by which molecules intermingle as a result of their kinetic energy of random motion.
- Convection: The heat transfer due to the bulk movement of molecules within fluids.
- Homeostasis: The state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems.
- Osmosis: The spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration.
Applications
Countercurrent exchange mechanisms are designed to enable the exchange of some property or condition between two flowing bodies flowing in opposite directions. This mechanism is used in various fields such as biology, engineering, and industry. In biology, it is used in the gills of fish, the kidneys of mammals, and the roots of plants. In engineering and industry, it is used in heat exchangers, gas chromatographs, and water treatment processes.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Countercurrent exchange
- Wikipedia's article - Countercurrent exchange
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