Feasible Design Space for Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers Using the Bell−Delaware Method

• Published in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research 2007-01, Vol.46 (1), p.143-155
• Main Authors: Serna-González, Medardo, Ponce-Ortega, José M, Castro-Montoya, Agustín J, Jiménez-Gutiérrez, Arturo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Heat exchangers and evaporators
• ISSN: 0888-5885; 1520-5045
• DOI: 10.1021/ie051371x

This paper presents an improved methodology for generating feasible regions for shell-and-tube exchanger design, taking into account geometric and operational constraints. The approach is based on the Bell−Delaware method to describe the shell-side flow with no simplification; this approach, therefore, can incorporate the entire range of geometric parameters of practical interest. Compact analytical equations are derived from the rigorous Bell−Delaware method for the shell-side heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop. These equations aid significantly in the solution of the design problem. The solution involves a nested approach where the compact equation parameters are treated as iteration variables; a simplified heat exchanger model is solved in an inner loop, and the exchanger parameters are updated in an outer loop. Compared to a previous work, which uses the approximate Kern method to describe the shell-side flow, the present one provides a better accuracy for the thermal design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers with single-phase fluids. One example is presented to show the application of the proposed method. The alternative use of proprietary design software is also illustrated.