Analysis of fluid retention zones in heat exchangers with segmental baffle and helical baffle

Xin Gu; Ning Li; Cheng Chen; Qianxin Zhang; Guan Wang; Yongqing Wang

doi:10.1515/ijcre-2021-0230

Article

Analysis of fluid retention zones in heat exchangers with segmental baffle and helical baffle

Xin Gu , Ning Li , Cheng Chen , Qianxin Zhang , Guan Wang and Yongqing Wang

Published/Copyright: November 24, 2021

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From the journal International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering Volume 20 Issue 7

Abstract

By using the residence time distribution method (RTD), the fluid retention zones in the shell and tube heat exchanger with segmental baffle (STHX-SB) and the heat exchanger with helical baffle (STHX-HB) are compared and discussed. The flow pattern and fluid retention zone of the similar double helical flow heat exchanger (STHX-SDH) were analyzed by using the same method. The result shows the spiral flow can reduce the fluid retention zone. The flow pattern in the STHX-SDH likes a double helical shape and leads to a very small fluid retention zone. According to the simulation results, the location of the fluid retention zone of STHX-SDH is determined. The verification line method and the zone assessment method were adopted, to discuss the flow velocity of each point on the verification line and the average flow velocities of the selected zones. The change laws of the flow velocities on the verification lines and the average flow velocities of the selected zones at different Reynolds numbers were compared. The result reveals the distribution of the fluid retention zone of the STHX-SDH and the sensitivity of each fluid retention zone to the Reynolds number. By optimization of the angle of the baffle, the volume fraction of the fluid retention zone is reduced to 1.61%, and the heat transfer performance is improved by 13.23%. It is verified that reducing the fluid retention zone can effectively enhance the heat transfer performance. This research method provides a theoretical basis for reducing the fluid retention zone of the heat exchanger and enhancing heat transfer performance.

Keywords: fluid retention zone; heat exchanger; helical flow; RTD

Corresponding author: Yongqing Wang, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China, E-mail: wangyq@zzu.edu.cn

Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 21776263

Award Identifier / Grant number: 51776190

Funding source: Department of Science and Technology of Henan Province, China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 182102310022

Funding source: Department of Education of Henan Province, China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 18A470001

Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: This research was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21776263, 51776190), the Department of Science and Technology of Henan Province, China (Grant No. 182102310022), and the Department of Education of Henan Province, China (Grant No. 18A470001).
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.

Nomenclature

L: length of heat exchanger, mm
N: number of tubes
W: baffle width, mm
h: heat transfer coefficient, W/(m²⋅K)
p: pressure, Pa
Re: Reynolds number
Nu: Nusselt number
f: resistance coefficient
S: baffle spacing, mm
T: fluid temperature, K
V: total volume of the shell side, m³
Q: total volume flow of the fluid
C ₁: empirical coefficient
C ₂: empirical coefficient
A: heat transfer area, m²
t: Calculation time, s
t _a: Theoretical residence time, s

Greek symbols
α: angle of baffle, °
δ: baffle thickness, mm
λ: fluid thermal conductivity, W/(m⋅K)
θ: Dimensionless time
D _eff: effective diffusion coefficient
μ e f f: turbulent Schmidt number
ρ: fluid density, kg/m3

Subscripts
in: inlet
out: outlet
w: tubewall

Abbreviations
STHX: shell and tube heat exchanger
HTP: heat transfer performance
RTD: residence time distribution
LDV: laser doppler velocimeter
TEF: thermal enhancement factor

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Received: 2021-09-06

Accepted: 2021-11-13

Published Online: 2021-11-24

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2021-0230

Keywords for this article

fluid retention zone; heat exchanger; helical flow; RTD