Numerical investigation of thermo-hydraulic ability of STHX with continuous helical baffles on the shell side

Abstract

The larger quantities of heat transfer rates are possible with the modification of few parameters like baffle cut and shape. Which significantly improves the performance of shell and tube heat exchanger while reducing the pressure drop. From the reported literature review it was proposed to carry the numerical analysis for various helix angles. The present study is to simulate heat transfer rate and liquid movement in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger along with continuous helical-baffles on the shell side. The numerical investigation of seven helix angles, namely 10°, 19°, 21°, 25°, 30°, 38°, and 50°, is done for varying mass flow rates and the inlet temperature of shell side and tube side are 25 °C and 55 °C respectively, modelled a whole length unceasing helical-baffled shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Larger helix angles (30°, 38°, and 50°) result in reduced heat transfer rate and pressure drop too low, while minor helix angles (10°, 19°, 21°, and 25°) result in increased heat transfer rate and pressure drop too high.