HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY EXPERIMENT 3

SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Shell and tube heat exchangers in their various construction modifications are
probably the most widespread and commonly used basic heat exchanger configuration
in the process industries. The reasons for this general acceptance are several. The shell
and tube heat exchanger provides a comparatively large ratio of heat transfer area to
volume and weight. It provides this surface in a form which is relatively easy to
construct in a wide range of sizes and which is mechanically rugged enough to
withstand normal shop fabrication stresses, shipping and field erection stresses, and
normal operating conditions. There are many modifications of the basic configuration,
which can be used to solve special problems. The shell and tube exchanger can be
reasonably easily cleaned, and those components most subject to failure – gaskets and
tubes – can be easily replaced. Finally, good design methods exist, and the expertise
and shop facilities for the successful design and construction of shell and tube
exchangers are available throughout the world.

3.1 THEORIES AND EXPLANATIONS

3.1.1 Notification and definition

Please refer to section 1.1.1.

3.1.2 Real and theoretical system

Please refer to section 1.1.2 statement 1,3 and 4.

2. The coefficient of exchange by convection in the tube is given by the

relations between the number without dimension:

Nu = 0.383Re0.65Pr 0.4 for an exchange with plates

1
Nu = 4Pr 3 for a turbulent exchanger in laminar flow
Nu = 0.0225Re0.8Pr 0.4 for a turbulent exchanger in turbulent flow

Where
µCp
Nu = hD; Re = qvD; Pr = ; and v = 4Qc ; D is the diameter of the tube.
y µ y nD2

If N is the number of the tubes inside the cylinder, then:

d1
v=
sN

1
 The observed viscosity in some dimensionless numbers is very temperature-
sensitive.

Laminar flow : Re < 2100

Turbulent flow: Re > 2100

We suppose that some baffles are placed into the cylinder, the flow is not
parallel to the fluid. So we use Kern’s method to determine the equivalent
diameter according to the tube arrangement:

3.64P2
De = − do
ndo
Passage surface: aCT = (P − do)B
Dc
P

3.1.3 Equipment Description and Preparation

Equipment: Plate Heat Exchanger BET 100

1. The exchanger consists of a glass cylinder and six stainless steel tubes.
2. The tubes are arranged in parallel whose ends are maintained by
waterproof plates.
3. The tubes and the plates are placed into a cylinder. This cylinder has two
collectors at each end in order to collect the fluid that flows through the
tubes.
4. The second fluid flows through the cylinder around the tubes, in order to
prevent this fluid from following a preferential direction, the cylinder is
fitted with baffles.
5. The tube diameter: 12mm; the total heat transfer area: 0.14 m².

3.2 OBJECTIVE

1. To understand the working principles of a shell and tube heat exchanger unit
2. To investigate the effect of cold water flowrate on the heat transfer efficiency
3. To investigate the effect of flow configuration on the heat transfer efficiency

3.3 EQUIPMENT

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger BET 100

2
3.4 PROCEDURE

1. Connect the flexible hoses to prepare the co-current configuration system.

2. Adjust the flow rate of hot water to 200 L/h.
3. Fix the hot water temperature, Te= 800C through the thermoregulator.
4. Change the cold water flow rate to 50 L/h.
5. Wait for the temperatures to stable before recording.
6. Chang the cold water flow rate to 100 L/h, 150 L/h, 200 L/h and 250 L/h.
Wait until thermal stability is reached after each changing of the cold water
flow rate.
7. Repeat steps 1 – 6 for the counter-current configuration system.

3.5 EXERIMENTAL RESULTS

Record the temperatures.

(a) Co-current configuration

q (L/h) 200 200 200 200 200
d (L/h) 50 100 150 200 250
Te( C)
o

Ts(oC)
te(oC)
ts (oC)

(b) Counter-current configuration

q (L/h) 200 200 200 200 200
d (L/h) 50 100 150 200 250
Te(oC)
Ts(oC)
te(oC)
ts (oC)
T is inlet hot water temperature
e
T is inlet cold water temperature
s
t is outlet hot water temperature
e
t is outlet cold water temperature
s
3.6 QUESTIONS
1. Explain the working principles of a shell and tube heat exchanger
i. Sketch and compare between co-current and counter current configuration
2. Compare and justify the application and importance of plat, double pipe, and shell
and tube heat exchanger
3. Explain and discuss the effect of cold water flowrate towards the temperature
increment of cold water and temperature reduction of hot water
4. State the best conditions of heat exchanger in the shell and tube heat exchanger
5. What are the major differences between plate, double pipe and shell and
tube heat exchanger? When are they suitable to apply? Tabulate your
justification