Category: PDFdocs

”Mean Temperature Difference in Design”,  Bowman, R. A., A. C. Mueller, and W. M. Nagle, Transactions of the ASME, Vol. 62, pp. 283-294, 1940.  This is the classic paper that presents the analytical relationships that are used to create the “Correction Factor” curves for shell-and-tube and crossflow heat exchanger analyses to correct for LMTD using a pure counterflow model.

Handy 1-page reference for typical industrial cylinders, such as propane tanks, high pressure gas cylinders, acetylene cylinders.

Very good guidance, and methods, for selecting a control valve size (diameter).  The PDF document is by the Emerson Electric Company.  Old-timers will recognize the “Fisher” control valves brand, which is now owned by Emerson, but the design guidance is generic, and well-explained.

Download this PDF file to visually see, step-by-step, how to perform a “double interpolation” when you have two independent variables and neither of them are specifically listed in a properties table.

Written in 1940 for people interested in insurance sales.  But the ideas and suggestions for “how to be a success” apply to the engineering profession just as well.  Beware that the theme is mostly hard work, perseverance, and persistence are the ingredients to achieving your vision of success.  You will need to understand, and forgive, the man-centric writing style and focus on the ideas and guidance.

This is the UPDATED version of the original 1944 document.  This document, published by the ASME, improves the recognition of women in engineering and a team of authors has brought the guidance into the current-day (circa 2010) environment.

It is educational to review BOTH the original 1944 and this 2010 document together.  For example, the guidance, “a little profanity goes a long way” from the original edition has been eliminated.  It’s interesting that the use of profanity continues to be widely-practiced, across all roles and backgrounds.  It’s surprising that the team of authors chose to eliminate the original author’s insightful guidance.

I received this 40-page pamphlet on my graduation day in 1975 from one of my top M.E. professors, Hugh Miles.  These were provided to Professor Miles by the ASME.  The document was written in 1944 (near the end of World War II) by an experienced engineer.  The document is very “man-centric” because of the social environment at the time.  You’ll need to overlook and forgive those flaws because the guidance is PRICELESS for every engineer in the current day.

I wish I had read the pamphlet more carefully in 1975.  I thought I had all the answers, and that an “old man” could not help me in my engineering career journey.  I’ve made many of the mistakes the author warns about in the document.  Have a look and reflect on your own situation.