10-10-2014, 09:24 AM
Abstracts: Heat exchangers are one of the most important heat transfer apparatus that find its use in industries like oil refining, chemical engineering, electric power generation etc. Shell-and-tube types of heat exchangers have been commonly and most effectively used in Industries over the years. This analyses the conventional heat exchanger thermally using the Kern method. This is a proven method & has been verified by researchers. This analysis also consists of thermal analysis of a heat exchanger with helical baffles using the Kern method, which has been modified to approximate results for different helical angles. The results obtained give us a clear idea that the ratio of heat transfer coefficient per unit pressure drop is maximum in helical baffle heat exchanger, as compared to segmental baffle heat exchanger. The Helical baffle heat exchanger eliminates principle shortcomings in Conventional Heat Exchangers due to shell side zigzag flow, induced by Segmental baffle arrangement. The flow pattern in the shell side of the continuous helical baffle heat exchanger is rotational & helical due to the geometry of continuous helical baffles. This flow pattern results in significant increase in heat transfer coefficient, however the pressure drop reduces significantly in the helical baffle heat exchanger. Keywords - Kern method, helical baffle heat exchanger, helix angle, heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, and shell & tube heat exchanger.