Enhancement of Heat Exchanger Efficiency through Optimizations in Baffle Design

Abstract

Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are studied by numerically modeling the shell side design, particularly the baffle spacing, baffle cut and shell diameter dependencies on the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop. A commercial CFD program is used to resolve the flow and temperature fields inside the shell. To better understand turbulent flow in a single shell and single tube heat exchanger, a series of CFD simulations is run. The outcomes are shown to be highly dependent on the choice of turbulence model. Analyzing the CFD findings of the heat transfer coefficient helps identify the optimum turbulence model. Different types of design of baffles are analyzed and compared in terms of weight, temperature and effectiveness.