Heat transfer characteristics of a temperature-dependent-property fluid in shell and coiled tube heat exchangers

An experimental investigation was performed to study the heat transfer characteristics of temperature-dependent-property engine-oil inside shell and coiled tube heat exchangers. For this purpose, a well-instrumented set-up was designed and constructed. Three heat exchangers with different coil pitches were selected as the test section for counter-flow configuration. Engine-oil was circulated inside the inner coiled tube, while coolant water flowed in the shell. All the required parameters like inlet and outlet temperatures of tube-side and shell-side fluids, flow rate of fluids, etc were measured using appropriate instruments. An empirical correlation existed in the previous literature for evaluating the shell-side Nusselt number was invoked to calculate the heat transfer coefficients of the temperature-dependent-property fluid flowing in the tube-side of the heat exchangers. Using the data of the present study, an empirical correlation was developed to predict the heat transfer coefficients of the temperature-dependent-property fluid flowing inside the shell and coiled tube heat exchangers.     

Twisted bundle heat exchangers performance evaluation by CFD (CJ12/5054)

Shell and tube heat exchanger with single twisted tube bundle in five different twist angles, are studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and compared to the conventional shell and tube heat exchanger with single segmental baffles. Effect of shell-side nozzles configurations on heat exchanger performance is studied as well. Heat transfer rate and pressure drop are the main issues investigated in the paper. The results show that, for the same shell-side flow rate, the heat transfer coefficient of heat exchanger with twisted tube bundle is lower than that of the heat exchanger with segmental baffles while shell-side pressure drop of the former is even much lower than that of the latter. The comparison of heat transfer rate per unit pressure drop versus shell-side mass flow rate shows that heat exchanger with twisted tube bundle in both cases of perpendicular and tangential shell-side nozzles, has significant performance advantages over the segmental baffled heat exchanger. Optimum bundle twist angles for such exchangers are found to be 65 and 55° for all shell side flow rates.     

An experimental study of thermal performance of shell-and-coil heat exchangers

In the present study an experimental investigation of the mixed convection heat transfer in a coil-in-shell heat exchanger is reported for various Reynolds and Rayleigh numbers, various tube-to-coil diameter ratios and dimensionless coil pitch. The purpose of this article is to assess the influence of the tube diameter, coil pitch, shell-side and tube-side mass flow rate over the performance coefficient and modified effectiveness of vertical helical coiled tube heat exchangers. The calculations have been performed for the steady-state and the experiments were conducted for both laminar and turbulent flow inside coil. It was found that the mass flow rate of tube-side to shell-side ratio was effective on the axial temperature profiles of heat exchanger. The results also indicate that the ? − NTU relation of the mixed convection heat exchangers was the same as that of a pure counter-flow heat exchanger.     

Experimental Studies on Thermal Performance and Flow Resistance of Heat Exchangers with Helical Baffles

In this study, the shell-side heat transfer performance and flow resistance of the shell-and-tube heat exchangers with third-symmetrical, quarter-symmetrical, quarter-unsymmetrical helical baffles and segmental baffles were experimentally obtained. Except for the baffles, these heat exchangers had the same geometrical configuration and number of tubes. Cold and hot water were used as working fluids in the shell and the tube side, respectively. The experiments were done with the cold water volumetric flow rate ranging between 3 and 7 m³/h and the hot water volumetric flow rate constant at 5.5 m³/h. The results show that the heat exchanger with segmental baffles has higher shell-side heat transfer performance and flow resistance than those with helical baffles. Among the three helical baffles used, the third-symmetrical helical baffle offers the highest shell-side heat transfer performance and flow resistance. The quarter-unsymmetrical helical baffle offers the lowest shell-side flow resistance. Its performance of shell-side heat transfer is also the lowest one but close to that of the quarter-symmetrical helical baffle, so the quarter-unsymmetrical helical baffle provides the best conversion efficiency in all heat exchangers mentioned. Compared with the segmental baffle, the shell-side Nusselt numbers that the third-symmetrical, the quarter-symmetrical, and the quarter-unsymmetrical helical baffle offer decrease on the average by about 26%, 37%, and 38%, respectively, and the corresponding shell-side Euler numbers they provide decrease on the average by about 33%, 49%, and 55%, respectively. Thus, the relative shell-side conversion efficiencies increase by about 9%, 25%, and 39% on the average, respectively.     

Experimental investigation of shell and coiled tube heat exchangers using wilson plots

In this work, an experimental investigation was performed to study the shell and helically coiled tube heat exchangers. Three heat exchangers with different coil pitches and curvature ratios were tested for both parallel-flow and counter-flow configurations. All the required parameters like inlet and outlet temperatures of tube-side and shell-side fluids, flow rate of fluids, etc. were measured using appropriate instruments. Overall heat transfer coefficients of the heat exchangers were calculated using Wilson plots. Heat transfer coefficients of shell and tube sides were evaluated invoking the calculated overall heat transfer coefficients. The inner Nusselt numbers were compared to the values existed in open literature. Though the boundary conditions were different, a reasonable agreement was observed.     

Numerical simulation on the performance of trisection helical baffle heat exchangers with small baffle incline angles

ABSTRACT

Numerical simulation was conducted on oil–water heat transfer in five circumferential overlap trisection helical baffle shell–and–tube heat exchangers (cothSTHXs) with 16 tubes and incline angles of 12°, 16°, 20°, 24°, and 28° and a segmental baffle heat exchanger of the identical tube layout for comparison under laminar flow calculation conditions. The local images represent shell-side flow patterns, and heat transfer properties are presented showing the detailed “secondary vortex flow” and “shortcut leakage flow” patterns to explain the different characteristics of the six schemes. The simulation curves of the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop are compared with those of the experimental ones, with satisfactory agreement. The average values of the shell-side heat transfer coefficient and the comprehensive index h_o/Δp_o of the 12° helical scheme are respectively 47% and 51% higher than those of the segmental baffle scheme with about the same pressure drop.     

Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Baffle Orientation on Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in a Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger With Leakage Flows

The commercial CFD code FLUENT is used to investigate the effect of baffle orientation and of viscosity of the working fluid on the heat transfer and pressure drop in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger in the domain of turbulent flow. The shell-and-tube heat exchanger considered follows the TEMA standards and consists of 76 plane tubes with fixed outside diameter, which are arranged in a triangular pitch. Two baffle orientations as well as leakage flows are considered. In order to determine the effect of viscosity on heat transfer and pressure drop, simulations are performed for the working fluids air, water, and engine oil with Prandtl numbers in the range of 0.7 to 206. For each baffle orientation and working fluid, simulations are performed using different flow velocities at the inlet nozzle. Heat transfer and pressure drop are reported in order to describe the performance of vertically and horizontally baffled shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The heat transfer coefficient is described as modified shell-side Nusselt number, which is defined similar to the VDI method.     

Transient thermal structure, turbulence, and heat transfer in a reattaching slot jet flow

The role of turbulent fluctuations on mean heat transfer coefficient in a reattaching slot jet flow is studied experimentally. Convective heat transfer rate and near-wall fluid flow are examined in the recirculation, reattachment, and post-reattachment regions for two nozzle-to-surface spacings of 0.25 and 0.75 times the width of the nozzle bottom plate. In the reattachment region, results indicate a strong correspondence between variances of near-wall velocity fluctuation and peak heat transfer rate for both spacings. Thermal structures that vary in the spanwise direction are identified in the recirculation region from low-frequency transient infrared thermographs of the heated surface. While these thermal structures are confined to regions in the vicinity of nozzle bottom plate for the low nozzle spacing, they span the entire recirculation region at larger spacings. Thermal streaks are observed past reattachment for the larger nozzle spacing, suggesting a periodic breakup and re-formation of the jet curtain. The scaling of heat transfer distribution is affected by the flow structure in the geometrically non-similar area of the recirculating flow beneath the nozzle. A correlation for peak Nusselt number is presented.     

Flow characteristics and heat transfer performances of a semi-confined impinging array of jets: effect of nozzle geometry

The flow and heat transfer characteristics of confined jet array impingement with crossflow is investigated. Discrete impingement pressure measurements are used to obtain the jet orifice discharge flow coefficient. Digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) and flow visualization are used to determine the flow characteristics. Two thermal boundary conditions at the impinging surface are presented: an isothermal surface, and a uniform heat flux, where thermocouple and thermochromic liquid crystal methods were used, respectively, to determine the local heat transfer coefficient. Two nozzle geometries are studied, circular and cusped ellipse. Based on the interaction with the jet impingement at the surface, the crossflow is shown to influence the heat transfer results. The two thermal boundary conditions differ in overall heat transfer correlation with the jet Reynolds number. Detailed velocity data show that the flow development from the cusped ellipse nozzle affects the wall region flow more than the circular nozzle, as influenced by the crossflow interactions. The overall heat transfer for the uniform heat flux boundary condition is found to increase for the cusped ellipse orifice.     

Experimental study on the heat transfer at the heat exchanger of the thermoacoustic refrigerating system

Oscillatory flow heat transfer at the heat exchanger of the thermoacoustic refrigeration system was studied. The study identified significant factors that influence this heat transfer as well as the construction of the system. The results from the experimental study were correlated in terms of Nusselt number, Prandtl number and Reynolds number to obtain a useful new correlation for the heat transfer at the heat exchangers. Results show that using straight flow heat transfer correlations for analyses and design of this system could result in significant errors. Results also show the relationship between the oscillatory heat transfer coefficient at the heat exchangers, the mean pressure and frequency of oscillation. Higher mean pressures result in greater heat transfer coefficients if the thermoacoustic refrigerating system operates at the corresponding resonant frequency. However, a compromise has to be reached to accommodate construction of the stack.     

三叶膨胀管换热器壳程强化传热的数值研究

三叶膨胀管是一种新型强化传热管,针对纵向流换热器特点,设计了三种不同管束结构参数的三叶膨胀管自支撑纵向流换热器。应用FLUENT软件及Realizable k-ε湍流模型,对三种不同结构参数的三叶膨胀管换热器壳程强化传热特性展开了数值模拟,并通过与实验数据的对比,验证了计算模型的可靠性。计算了不同壳程介质流速下,三叶膨胀管换热器壳程的换热系数与压降值,并获得了壳程流体流线以及相应的温度场、速度场和二次流分布图。结果发现,在壳程水流速一致的情况下,管束横向间距越大的三叶膨胀管换热器,壳程拥有更高的综合换热性能和更低的压降值,但相应地,换热系数也更低。流场分析显示,壳程流体流线呈现出三维纵向旋流形态,二次流的出现改变了速度场和温度场分布,二次流的强度随着管束横向间距的减小而增大。     

Modeling and Prediction of Shell-Side Fouling in Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

Fouling is a challenging, longstanding, and costly problem affecting a variety of heat transfer applications in industry. Mathematical models that aim at capturing and predicting fouling trends in shell-and-tube heat exchangers typically focus on fouling inside the tubes, while fouling on the shell side has generally been neglected. However, fouling deposition on the shell side may be significant in practice, impairing heat transfer, increasing pressure drops, and modifying flow paths. In this paper, a new model formulation is presented that enables capturing fouling on the shell side of shell-and-tube heat exchangers including the effect of occlusion of the shell-side clearances. It is demonstrated by means of an industrial case study in a crude oil refinery application. The model, implemented in an advanced simulation environment, is fitted to plant data. It is shown to capture the complex thermal and hydraulic interactions between fouling growth inside and outside of the tubes, the effect of fouling on the occlusion of the shell-side construction clearances, and to unveil the impact on shell-side flow patterns, heat transfer coefficient, pressure drops, and overall exchanger performance. The model is shown to predict the fouling behavior in a seamless dynamic simulation of both deposition and cleaning operations, with excellent results.     

An experimental investigation of heat transfer enhancement for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger

For the purpose of heat transfer enhancement, the configuration of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger was improved through the installation of sealers in the shell-side. The gaps between the baffle plates and shell is blocked by the sealers, which effectively decreases the short-circuit flow in the shell-side. The results of heat transfer experiments show that the shell-side heat transfer coefficient of the improved heat exchanger increased by 18.2–25.5%, the overall coefficient of heat transfer increased by 15.6–19.7%, and the exergy efficiency increased by 12.9–14.1%. Pressure losses increased by 44.6–48.8% with the sealer installation, but the increment of required pump power can be neglected compared with the increment of heat flux. The heat transfer performance of the improved heat exchanger is intensified, which is an obvious benefit to the optimizing of heat exchanger design for energy conservation.     

扭曲椭圆管换热器壳程强化传热的数值研究

基于扭曲椭圆管的换热器是一种新型的新风系统换热器,针对扭曲椭圆管及其应用特点,设计了两种不同结构参数的新风系统换热器。应用FLUENT软件,在夏季工况下对两种不同结构参数的新风系统换热器壳程进行模拟分析,并通过与实验数据的对比,验证计算模型的可靠性。结果显示在相同体积流量下,随着壳程开孔面积的增大,对流换热系数h不断减小,压降Δp不断减小,综合性能系数h/Δp^1/3变化不明显;随着螺距的减小,对流换热系数h不断增大,压降Δp不断增大,综合性能系数h/Δp^1/3也不断增大;流场分析显示,扭曲椭圆管换热器壳程流道内,呈现出明显沿着扭曲椭圆管壁面的螺旋流,使得空气在流道内充分扰动,增强换热效果。     

A Comparative Assessment of RODbaffle Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

The shell-and-tube heat exchanger (SBE), with its tubes held in plate baffles to produce cross flow of the shell-side fluid, has recently been modified to produce a RODbaffle heat exchanger (RBE) free from tube failure due to vibration. The results showed slightly enhanced heat transfer coefficients with significant reductions in pressure loss, leading to reduced cost of exchangers and in some instances smaller exchangers.     

Most Frequently Used Heat Exchangers from Pioneering Research to Worldwide Applications

Heat exchangers contribute significantly to many energy conversion processes. Applications range from power production, petroleum refining and chemicals, paper and pharmaceutical production, to aviation and transportation industries. A large percentage of world market for heat exchangers is served by the industry workhorse, the shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Recent developments in other exchanger geometries have penetrated in various industry applications; however, the shell-and-tube exchanger by far remains the industry choice where reliability and maintainability are vital. Over the years, significant research and development efforts are devoted to better understand the shell-side geometry. New geometries are introduced for performance enhancement and to improve reliability. The pioneering work published by J. Nemcansky et al. in the Trans. Institute of Chemical Engineers in May, 1990, on helical baffles paved the way to a major shift from a conventional understanding of baffles in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Helical baffles serve as guide vanes for shell-side flow as compared to creating flow channels with conventional segmented baffles. In the past decade, ABB Lummus Heat Transfer has extended the understanding of the helical baffle geometry through extensive testing and development. CFD flow simulation studies have further confirmed the helical baffle advantage. Industry feedback on operating Helixchanger® heat exchangers—the shell-and-tube heat exchangers with helical baffles—has demonstrated low fouling characteristics as well as a higher conversion of shell-side pressure drop to heat transfer. In this paper, the characteristics of this novel Helixchanger heat exchanger are discussed. Examples from early installations in the power industry to the major applications in the petro-chemical and refining industries are presented, illustrating the advantages in reducing fouling and increasing reliability while achieving lower total life cycle costs.     

螺旋扭曲椭圆管换热器壳程数值模拟

以水为介质,采用k-ε模型,用数值模拟方法研究了5种不同结构的螺旋扭曲椭圆管换热器的管外壳程传热与流阻性能,并和采用椭圆管作为换热部件的换热器进行了比较.研究结果表明,螺旋扭曲椭圆管换热器壳程有较好的强化换热特性,螺旋扭曲椭圆管的几何尺寸和流体流动速度对壳程传热与流阻性能有重要影响.通过数值模拟所获得的规律为螺旋扭曲椭...     

开缝布置方式对开缝翅片管换热器 传热与阻力特性的影响

为了获得开缝布置方式对开缝翅片管换热器传热与阻力特性的影响规律,对5种不同翅片管换热器进行了数值模拟研究,并进行了模化试验验证。结果表明：增加开缝会提高翅片管换热器的传热性能,但阻力也随之增加;与开缝位置相比,开缝数量对开缝翅片管换热器传热与阻力特性的影响更大;在Re=4800~7500日时,开缝翅片管换热器综合流动传热性能 随着Re数的增大而增大;在5种翅片中,开缝翅片的综合流动传热性能高于普通平直翅片;数值模拟与试验结果偏差较小,采用数值模拟方法能够比较准确地分析开缝翅片管换热器的传热与阻力特性。     

Thermofluid characteristics of frosted finned-tube heat exchangers

The performance of frosted finned-tube heat exchangers of different fin types is investigated by experiments in this paper. The effects of the air flow rate, the air relative humidity, the refrigerant temperature, and the fin type on the thermofluid characteristics of the heat exchangers are discussed. The time variations of the heat transfer rate, the overall heat transfer coefficient, and the pressure drop of the heat exchangers are presented. The heat transfer rate, the overall heat transfer coefficient, and the pressure drop for heat exchangers with re-direction louver fins are higher than those with flat plate fins and one-sided louver fins are. The amount of frost formation is the highest for heat exchangers with re-direction louver fins.