Numerical study of shell and tube heat exchanger with different cross-section tubes and combined tubes

Abstract

Shell and tube heat exchangers are used in various industrial processes, and are one of the most commonly used heat exchangers. A shell and tube heat exchanger with a 25% baffle cut was used in this study. Tubes of different cross-sections (circular, elliptical with an attack angle of 90° and elliptical with an attack angle of 0°) were studied. A combined model of a shell and tube heat exchanger with elliptical tubes with an attack angle of 90° and circular tubes was introduced. A heat exchanger with ellipsoidal tubes near the shell with an attack angle of 90° and circular tubes in the center of the shell showed the highest heat transfer compared with the shell and tube heat exchangers with circular tubes and elliptical tubes with an attack angle of 90° and 0°. The pressure drop in the tube and shell side was also investigated for all five cases in this study. The effect of the location of tubes on heat transfer was investigated. It was shown that tubes located near the shell have a greater impact on heat transfer compared with tubes located in the center of the shell.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Temperature effect on thermal-hydraulic performance of one-pass counter-current flow shell-and-tube heat exchanger and upon its design

“…The heat flow of the hot fluid ( ) is expressed using the following equation: (9) The heat flow of the cold fluid ( ), is written as follows: (10) where and are the mass flow rates, and are the temperatures of the hot fluid at the studied local point and the inlet, respectively. and are the temperatures of the cold fluid at the outlet and the local studied point, and and are the hot and cold fluids specific heat capacities.…”

“…The baffle forms and locations are also important elements; they are used in different geometrical shapes, and lead to fluid flow that increase its turbulence. The presence of baffles permits to enhance heat exchanger efficiency [10,11]. Furthermore, a rise in the heat transfer rate increases the pressure drop [12].…”

Analysis of the performance of the shell and tube heat exchanger: Influence of the baffles and the position of fluid inlet and outlet

“…Geometric characteristics affect the change in heat flux, primarily by changing the velocity and current flow of the fluid, which makes the geometric characteristics an important parameter when choosing a model of the shell and tube heat exchanger. Experimental examination of different design studies of the heat exchangers requires a lot of time, therefore simulation studies are usually used for the analysis of the influence of parameters on the heat exchanger performance [3]. Bicer et al [4] analyzed the influence of the different baffle designs to reduce the pressure drop and increase the efficiency of the heat exchanger.…”

Theoretical Analysis of a Shell and Tubes Condenser with R134a Working Refrigerant and Water-Based Oxide of Aluminum Nanofluid (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>)

“…Mohammad Reza Saffarian et al [3] carry out a study to analyze the best option of the tubes' layout and shape in the heat transfer rate. They conclude that ellipsoidal tubes close to the shell wall, with an angle of attack equal to 90˚, and circular tubes in the center of the heat exchanger can increase heat exchange efficiency.…”