Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of a Heat Exchanger Provided with Helical Baffles

Abstract

In the article, a three-dimensional numerical solution of two real shell-and-tube heat exchangers, with different types of baffles, segmental, and pseudohelical, is presented, through the use of commercial codes, in order to evaluate the influence of the baffles type on heat exchanger performance. The parameters to be evaluated, which influence the efficiency of the thermal exchange and the maintenance and pumping costs, are the pressure drops, the heat transfer coefficient, and the fouling resistance. The fluid dynamic study of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger is conducted under stationary flow conditions. In the article, furthermore, the results of the thermohydraulic analysis, performed under stationary flow conditions, more "helical baffles" exchangers, with different baffles helix angle, are presented. Exchangers with pseudohelical baffles inclined by 7°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 45°, and 50° are analyzed. The simulations are carried out considering a real fluid, approximately incompressible, under laminar flow conditions. Finally, to verify the correctness of the results, they are compared with correlations in the literature.