Heat Exchanger Design Modification for Performance Optimization Using CFD Tools

摘要

Heat exchangers are used in the thermal system to maintain the temperature of the working liquid. Among the various types of heat exchanger, the shell and tube heat exchanger is the most commonly used heat exchanger based on its simple design and performance aspects. Even though these shell and tube heat exchangers operates at its designed point, it can be even effectively designed to achieve better heat transfer rate. Since most of the shell and tube heat exchangers are designed based on the traditional design concepts, in this paper, we have planned to modify the design of the heat exchanger. For this purpose, we have selected a reference heat exchanger with its practical performance results. Using the design data from the existing heat exchanger, the CAD model was generated using solid works software and it was analysed using the CFD software under the actual operating conditions. Then, the design modifications was carried out in the inner tubes and baffles accordingly. Initially we have changed the design of baffles and based on the analysis results, the cross section of the tube was modified. These modified design was analysed using the CFD tools under the same operating conditions and the results was compared with the actual and modified designs. By this, we will be justifying the application of CFD tools in the design of heat exchangers to predict its performance in the early design stage. Due to this, the time and money invested on the man and equipments will be reduced to the industry for developing an efficient heat exchanger.