Velocity Profiles between Two Baffles in a Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Abstract

Heat exchangers are extensively utilized for waste heat recovery, oil refining, chemical processing, and steamgeneration. In this study, velocity profiles are measured using a 3D particle image velocimetry (PIV) system betweentwo baffles in a shell and tube heat exchanger for parallel and counter flows. The PIV and computationalfluid dynamics results show the occurrence of some strong vectors near the bottom. These vectors are assumeddue to the clearance between the inner tubes and the front baffle. Therefore, the major parts of the vectors aremoved out through the bottom opening of the rear baffle, and other vectors produce a large circle between the twobaffles. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the effects of the baffle on the heat exchanger usingthe Fluent software. The k–ε turbulence model is employed to calculate the flows along the heat exchanger.