The exchange of heat between two fluid streams can, in general, be accomplished using either direct contact or surface-type heat exchangers. There are, however, several limitations to the use of direct contactors. First, if two fluid streams are placed in direct contact, they will mix, unless the streams are immiscible. Thus, stream contamination will occur depending on the degree of miscibility. The two streams must also be at the same pressure in a direct contactor, which could lead to additional costs. The advantages in utilizing a direct contactor include the lack of surfaces to corrode or foul, or otherwise degrade the heat transfer performance. Other advantages include the potentially superior heat transfer for a given volume of heat exchanger due to the larger heat transfer surface area achievable and the ability to transfer heat at much lower temperature differences between the two streams. Still another advantage is the much lower pressure drop associated with direct contactors as compared to their tubular counterparts. A final advantage is the much lower capital cost as direct contact heat exchangers can be constructed out of little more than a pressure vessel, inlet nozzles for the fluid streams, and exit ports. Of course, it is sometimes advantageous to provide internals, as will be discussed later., Direct contact heat exchangers have been used by heat transfer practitioners for more than one hundred years. In fact, the success of the industrial revolution has much to do with their initial use by James Watt in creating the needed vacuum for efficient steam engines., How do Heat Exchangers work? It is a device that allows heat from one liquid (liquid or gas) to be transferred to another liquid or gas without the two liquids mixing or coming into direct contact. They are used for cooling components that feature water to air, liquid-cooled, closed-loop systems..