Optimal geometry and flow arrangement for minimizing the cost of shell‐and‐tube condensers

Abstract

SUMMARYThis paper presents a model for estimating the total cost of shell-and-tube heat exchangers (HEs) with condensation in tubes or in the shell, as well as a designing strategy for minimizing this cost. The optimization process is based on a genetic algorithm. The global cost includes the energy cost (i.e. pumping power) and the initial purchase cost of the exchanger. The choice of the best exchanger is based on its annualized total cost. Eleven design variables are optimized. Ten are associated with the HE geometry: tube pitch, tube layout patterns, baffle spacing at the center, baffle spacing at the inlet and outlet, baffle cut, tube-to-baffle diametrical clearance, shell-to-baffle diametrical clearance, tube bundle outer diameter, shell diameter, and tube outer diameter. The last design variable indicates whether the condensing fluid should flow in the tubes or in the shell. Two case studies are presented and the results obtained show that the procedure can rapidly identify the best design for a given heat transfer process between two fluids, one of which is condensing.

Multi‐Objective Optimization of a Cross‐Flow Plate Heat Exchanger Using Entropy Generation Minimization

“…Venkatrathnam [7] and Abramazon and Ostersetzer [8] obtained the optimum design of heat exchangers in separate works by Lagrangian multiplier and an iterative method. Allen et al [12] defined the optimal geometry and flow arrangement for cost minimization of shell and tube condensers. Gonzales et al [10] minimized the total cost of air-cooled heat exchangers considering ten decision variables including operating and geometrical parameters.…”

Multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization of thermoelectric heat exchanger for waste heat recovery

“…Different objective functions and constraints (e.g. pumping power, heat transfer rate, efficiency, total cost, volume, heat transfer surface area) 18–26, and design variables (e.g. heat exchanger geometry and configuration) have been considered in literature.…”

“…heat exchanger geometry and configuration) have been considered in literature. Different optimization approaches have been used: genetic algorithms (GA) 19–21, 24–25, particle swarn optimization 22, and differential evolution (DE) 23, etc. However, none of these optimization studies considered optimization of heat exchangers with an embedded thermoelectric generator.…”

A simplified model for shell-and-tubes heat exchangers: Practical application

“…The majority of these models are more complicated than the model presented in this paper. For example, Allen and Gosselin [1] present a model that estimate the total cost of shell-and-tube HXs with condensation in tubes or in shell. This model and optimization is based on a genetic algorithm that optimized 11 variables of the HXs.…”