The minimum heat capacity rate determines the maximum possible heat transfer in a heat exchanger. It is the smaller of the flue gas and feedwater heat capacity rates.

\begin{equation}\label{eq:water-heating-flue-min-heat-capacity} \dot{C}_{min} = \min(\dot{C}_{flue}, \dot{C}_{fw})\end{equation}

Symbols

\(\dot{C}_{min}\)	Minimum heat capacity rate \([\unit{ \kilo\joule\per\hour\kelvin}]\)
\(\dot{C}_{flue}\)	Flue gas heat capacity rate \([\unit{ \kilo\joule\per\hour\kelvin}]\)
\(\dot{C}_{fw}\)	Feedwater heat capacity rate \([\unit{ \kilo\joule\per\hour\kelvin}]\)