Numerical analysis on shell-side flow-induced vibration and heat transfer characteristics of elastic tube bundle in heat exchanger

Abstract

Based on the sequential solution of bi-direction fluid-structure coupling method, the shell-side flow-induced vibration responses and the heat transfer characteristics of the elastic tube bundles in heat exchanger have been investigated in this paper. Taking into account the meshing convenience and computing efficiency, appropriate meshing strategy and step calculation method have been proposed. Effects of shell-side water inlet velocity on the flow-induced vibration responses and heat transfer characteristics of the elastic tube bundle have been discussed. The results indicate that the mainly vibration of each tube bundle induced by the shell-side fluid is the out-plane vibration. The vibration amplitudes of the two stainless steel blocks are basically consistent when the shell-side fluid inlet velocity is lower, and the vibration amplitude of the stainless steel block III is more intense when the shell-side fluid inlet velocity is higher. In addition, the heat transfer coefficient of each elastic tube bundle has increased significantly at low flow rate (or low Reynolds number) when the shell-side flow-induced the elastic tube bundle vibration.