Shell and tube heat exchanger optimization using new baffle and tube configuration

Abstract

This research focus on the fluid flow and heat transfer of water inside the segmental baffle shell and tube heat exchanger (SB-STHE) optimization using combined baffle and longitudinal ribbed tube configuration. Triangular and circular ribbed tubes are employed with disk baffle shell and tube heat exchanger (DB-STHE) and combined segmental-disk baffle shell and tube heat exchanger (CSDB-STHE). The fluid domain is simulated by SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation (Ver. 2015). Obtained results are compared with experimental data and numerical results available in literature. Based on the obtained results under maximum mass flow rates (2 kg/s), the average value of shell-side heat transfer coefficient of DB-TR and CSDB-TR are 26.6% and 31.9% higher than DB-CR and CSDB-CR, respectively. To evaluate the performance, Q/ΔP is selected at the same flow rate. A 42.8%, 40.5%, 24.2% and 7.12% difference over conventional baffles are represented by DB-TR, CSDB-TR, CSDB-CR and DB-CR respectively. In another criterion named as Performance evaluation criterion a 39%, 37%, and 13% performance difference over conventional baffles are represented by disk baffle shell and tube heat exchanger with longitudinal triangular ribbed tube (DB-TR), combined segmental-disk baffle shell and tube heat exchanger with longitudinal triangular ribbed tube (CSDB-TR), and combined segmental-disk baffle shell and tube heat exchanger with longitudinal circular ribbed tube (CSDB-CR) respectively.