Computational Investigations of Thermal Simulation of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Abstract

In the present paper, simulation for shell and tube heat exchanger investigated using CFD techniques. Numerical simulations of the turbulent, three-dimensional fluid flow and heat transfer are performed using Ansys Fluent 6.3. The effect of friction characteristics on the model of heat exchanger is discussed. A RNG κ-ε turbulence model with non-equilibrium wall function and 2nd order upwind is used. The present model is validated with the experimental literature and show a good agreement. The numerical results of the present study predict reasonably agree well with available correlations. Finally the present study model can be used to model a shell and tube heat exchanger with a satisfactory accuracy level in predictions.

Heat transfer and friction characteristics of shell and tube heat exchanger with multi inserted swirl vanes

“…Yehia et al [3], have obtained a numerical model capable of predicting heat transfer and friction characteristics for shell and tube heat exchanger using Ansys, Fluent, where the used model geometry was made typically as Ozden and Tari [14] and the main conclusions from this investigation are as follows:…”

“…Yehia et al [4], have investigated numerically using Ansys Fluent the heat transfer and friction characteristics of turbulent water flow at mass flow rates of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg/s in the case of shell and tube heat exchanger as of Yehia et al [3] but with single inserted swirl vane at 20 mm from the inlet of each tube with variable diameters of (5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, and 19 mm) and blade angles of (15°, 20°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, and 60°), and developing the corresponding empirical correlations for Nusselt number as follows:…”

“…2(a) was made exactly as Yehia et al [3], were modeled. The selected model size and geometrical configuration match literature as in Refs.…”

“…The aim of using swirl vane is as a heat transfer enhancement device for decreasing the weight and size to obtain the most possible cost reduction. 3 …”

“…An earlier study of the present authors; the first study of Yehia et al [3] was focused on obtaining a numerical model capable of predicting heat transfer and friction characteristics for shell and tube heat exchanger through selecting the proper mesh density, turbulence model, and validating the resultant model with the available relevant analytical, experimental, and numerical literature. The second study of Yehia et al [4] was focused on maximizing heat transfer and minimizing friction loss in the previous heat exchanger model by inserting single swirl vane in the inlet of each tube with variable vane diameter and blade angle.…”