What is the function of a heat exchanger?

The function of a heat exchanger is to transfer heat between two or more fluids that are at different temperatures. This process facilitates the exchange of thermal energy without allowing the fluids to mix, which is crucial in various industrial applications, including heating, cooling, and thermal energy recovery.

In many systems, heat exchangers play a vital role by improving efficiency and conserving energy. For example, in a power plant, they can recover heat from exhaust gases or transfer heat from hot water to another fluid that requires heating. This helps in optimizing performance and reducing operational costs.

The other options focus on different processes. Generating steam from water relies on boiling, which is distinct from heat exchange. Cooling heated gases before their release involves gas treatment and may include heat exchange principles, but the primary purpose of a heat exchanger is not solely cooling. Lastly, water purity enhancement through filtration is unrelated to heat transfer functions and addresses water quality rather than temperature regulation.