Kenneth J. Bell
Kerr-McGee Chair Emeritus

HEAT EXCHANGERS
Heat exchangers are what Ken does - here or anyplace else in the world where he can wangle an invitation. He works with heat exchangers of every size and description, whatever their type or location, from process plants to energy plants (everything from ocean thermal to nuclear), environmental control systems, etc. And along the way, he keeps handy a few useful facts about heat transfer, fluid flow, thermodynamics, and the square of the hypotenuse. 

In the classroom, he has taught about heat exchangers - principles, selection, design, development and troubleshooting. He has done this both on-campus and off (through the Engineering Extension program) to engineers in industry in the US and abroad. He also taught the Engineering Science course in fluid mechanics.

Ken and his students have conducted research on a variety of heat transfer problems. Recent examples include the condensation of immiscible mixtures, countercurrent two-phase flow, laminar-turbulent-transition regime heat transfer in tubes, and the effect of uncertainties in heat exchanger design.

Ken is in high demand by industry for his technical expertise, beginning with his first consulting job (while still a student at Delaware) for a fish processing plant. He says his current consulting jobs are not only more rewarding, but also smell better! Last, but not least, Ken is a Founding Editor of Heat Transfer Engineering, a journal devoted to the practicing heat transfer engineer. Since taking emeritus status in 1994, Ken has had a little more time to pursue his non-academic interests. For exercise, he collects fine books, minerals and Swiss stamps, and he is an avid student of history. He continues to functions as the School's oenological expert (look it up!).