What is the function of a heat exchanger?

A heat exchanger is designed specifically to transfer heat from one fluid to another without allowing the two fluids to mix. This process is essential in various applications, including HVAC systems, refrigeration, and engine cooling systems. By facilitating the transfer of thermal energy, heat exchangers help maintain the desired temperature levels within operational systems.

When discussing the correct answer of heat transfer without mixing, it’s important to note that the process relies on separating the fluids with robust designs, which can include tubes or plates. This ensures that while energy is exchanged, the physical properties of the two fluids remain distinct.

In the context of the other choices, while increasing the temperature of the coolant and condensing steam are functions related to thermal management, they do not encapsulate the primary role of a heat exchanger. Filtering impurities, on the other hand, pertains to separate systems focused on purifying fluids rather than the thermal exchange process itself. Hence, the essence of a heat exchanger is its ability to effectively manage heat transfer between two fluids while maintaining separation.