Question

Consider a 2-shell-passes and 8-tube-passes shell-and-tube heat exchanger. What is the primary reason for using many tube passes

Answer 1

Answer:

See explanation

Explanation:

Solution:-

- The shell and tube heat exchanger are designated by the order of tube and shell passes.

- A single tube pass: The fluid enters from inlet, exchange of heat, the fluid exits.

- A multiple tube pass: The fluid enters from inlet, exchange of heat, U bend of the fluid, exchange of heat, .... ( nth order of pass ), and then exits.

- By increasing the number of passes we have increased the "retention time" of a specific volume of tube fluid; hence, providing sufficient time for the fluid to exchange heat with the shell fluid.

- By making more U-turns we are allowing greater length for the fluid flow to develop with " constriction and turns " into turbulence. This turbulence usually at the final passes allows mixing of fluid and increases the heat transfer coefficient by:

                                U ∝ v^( 0.8 )    .... ( turbulence )

- The higher the velocity of the fluids the greater the heat transfer coefficient. The increase in the heat transfer coefficient will allow less heat energy carried by either of the fluids to be wasted ; hence, reduced losses.

Thereby, increases the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger ( higher NTU units ).