Which of the following statements about heat exchangers on Navy ships is true?

• A. They can be Shell & Tube or Plate-Tube
• B. They are exclusively Plate heat exchangers
• C. They are not used on Navy ships
• D. They only handle gas

Answer: (A)

Heat exchangers on Navy ships come in more than one configuration to fit different duties and spaces. The key idea is that there isn’t a single type used everywhere; ships use multiple designs to meet reliability, weight, and maintenance needs. The two most common families are shell-and-tube and plate-type heat exchangers.

Shell-and-tube units are rugged and capable of handling large flow rates and challenging fluids, making them a good choice for engine cooling and other heavy-duty cooling loops. Plate-type heat exchangers are compact and offer high heat transfer efficiency, which is valuable where space is limited or where you need to fit more cooling capacity into a smaller package.

That’s why the statement describing both Shell & Tube and Plate-Tube as possible heat exchanger types is the best answer. The other options are inconsistent with how Navy ships actually use heat exchangers: they do not rely on a single type, they are indeed used on ships, and they handle more than just gases (they transfer heat between fluids like water, oil, and fuel).