CFD evaluation of the influence of the parts of a shell and tube heat exchanger on heat transfer

Abstract

This article deals with numerical fluid flow and heat transfer simulations of a shell and tube heat exchanger in which cooling water is heated by hot exhaust fumes. This heat exchanger plays a major role in a cogeneration unit, since it is responsible for the effective use of residual heat. The objective of the simulations is to evaluate the effects of various design changes made to the heat exchanger and their influence on the temperature fields and thus on the overall performance and efficiency of the system. In our analysis we looked at the baffles which cause the cross-current flow of water outside the tubes and at the placement of the gas inlet, i.e., on the distribution of the mass flow rate of the exhaust fumes inside these tubes.