Experimental Investigation of Shell-Side Performance and Optimal Design of Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger with Different Flower Baffles

A novel structure for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger (STHX) with triple-layer flower baffles consisting of three blades is proposed in this article. This study also compares the performance of three heat exchangers with triple-layer flower baffles, double-layer flower baffles, and segmental baffles. In order to compare the hydrodynamics and heat transfer characteristics of the three heat exchangers, a water-water heat transfer experiment is designed. The experiment is carried out in a counter-current flow pattern with hot water in the shell and cold water in the tube. Based on the experimental data, at the same flow rate, the shell-side heat transfer coefficients of the STHXs with triple-layer flower baffles and double-layer flower baffles are 31.7% and 14.3% higher than those of traditional segmental baffles, respectively. With an increased number of blades, the STHX with triple-layer flower baffles achieves a comprehensive performance that is 23.7% improved over the STHX with double-layer flower baffles. Finally, an experimental correlative formula is fitted for the heat exchanger with flower baffles and an optimal design scheme for shell-side heat transfer enhancement is proposed.