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Chapter
Heat Exchangers
2012, Branan's Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers (Fifth
Edition)
Stephen Hall
Shell Diameter
The shell diameter is related to the number of tubes, tube passes,
tube diameter, tube pitch, tube pitch layout, and tube omissions to
allow space for impingement baffles or to decrease the number of
tubes in the baffle windows. TEMA and many others publish tables
that list the number of tubes that will fit into shells of standard
diameters.
For a quick estimation which should suffice for preliminary design
work, use this procedure (easily implemented in Excel):
1. Calculate the cross-sectional area occupied by each tube. For
triangular pitch, draw the equilateral triangle with vertices at
the center of three tubes. The area of the triangle is one-half of
the area required to accommodate one tube. Similarly, for square
pitch draw the square with corners at the center of four tubes.
The area of the square is equal to the area required to
accommodate one tube.
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎1 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒, = 2 (𝑃𝑅 𝑑𝑜 )2
√3 (2-13)
𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 4
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎1 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒, = (𝑃𝑅 𝑑𝑜 )2 (2-14)
𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒
Where:
𝑃𝑅
= tube pitch ratio (usually 1.25, 1,285, 1.33, or 1.5)
𝑑𝑜
= outside diameter of tubes, mm or in.
2. Calculate the diameter of a circle that equates to the area for all
tubes in the shell.
𝑁𝑡 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒
0.5
(2-15)
𝐷𝑡𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 2 ( )
𝜋
𝑛𝑡
= number of tubes in the shell
3. For each tube pass greater than one, add cross sectional area to
account for the pass partition by multiplying the tube diameter
by Dtight.
𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 = 𝐷𝑡𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑑𝑜 (𝑛𝑝 − 1) + (𝑁𝑡 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒 ) (2-16)
𝑛𝑝
= number of tube passes in the shell
4. Calculate the minimum shell diameter by adding two tube
diameters to the circle equating to Acorrected.
𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
0.5
(2-17)
𝐷 =2 ( ) + 2𝑑
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Chapter
REBOILERS
2007, Process Heat Transfer
R.W. Serth
10.3.5 Shell diameter
The diameter of the K-shell is chosen to provide adequate space
above the surface of the boiling liquid for vapor–liquid
disengagement. A rule of thumb is that the distance from the
uppermost tube to the top of the shell should be at least 40% of the
shell diameter. A somewhat more rigorous sizing procedure is based
on the following empirical equation for the vapor loading [5,6]:
𝜎
0.5 (10.2)
𝑉𝐿 = 2290𝜌𝑣 ( 𝜌 − 𝜌𝑣
)
𝐿
where
VL = vapor loading (lbm/h · ft3)
ρV, ρL = vapor and liquid densities (lbm/ft3)
σ = surface tension (dyne/cm)
The vapor loading is the mass flow rate of vapor divided by the
volume of the vapor space. The value given by Equation (10.2) is
intended to provide a sufficiently low vapor velocity to allow
gravitational settling of entrained liquid droplets. The dome segment
area, SA, is calculated from the vapor loading as follows:
𝑚𝑉
˙
𝑆𝐴 = 𝐿 × 𝑉𝐿 (10.3)
where
𝑚
˙𝑉
fl (lb /h)
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Chapter
REBOILERS
2007, Process Heat Transfer
R.W. Serth
Example 10.1
A kettle reboiler requires a dome segment area of 5.5 ft2. The bundle
diameter plus clearance is approximately 22.4 in. What shell
diameter is required?
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Review article
Influence of operational and design
parameters on the performance of a
PCM based heat exchanger for
thermal energy storage – A review
2018, Journal of Energy Storage
Lokesh Kalapala, Jaya Krishna Devanuri
4.1 Shell to tube diameter ratio
The shell to tube diameter ratio “R” (given by the Eq. (1)) is the most
significant parameter which affects the total melting time,
solidification time and stored energy. As this ratio increases, the
amount of PCM increases and hence stored energy can be increased.
However, this leads to an increase in melting time and solidification
time. Hence, there is a need to optimize ‘R’ to obtain maximum
energy storage density for lesser melting time.
𝑅=
𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 (1)
𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒
Cao and Faghri [23] analyzed the effect of the shell to tube diameter
ratio “R” on energy storage density. The energy storage density was
found to decrease up to a ratio of 3.6 after which it reaches nearly a
constant value. However, total melting time increased with an
increase in the shell to tube diameter ratio. By keeping tube
diameter constant Lacroix [29] varied the shell diameter and
observed that low diameter shell resulted in faster melting, which
was anticipated as less PCM can be accommodated. This
arrangement resulted in less storage capacity and hence low
diameter of the shell is not always preferred. Bellecci and Conti [48]
analyzed the effect of the shell to tube diameter ratio on energy
storage which was found to be increasing with the increase in ‘R’.
However, after a certain value of R (equal to 4), some part of PCM
was not found to undergo phase change process.
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Chapter
Fabrication, welding, and in-shop
inspection
2021, Surface Production Operations
Maurice Stewart
6.7.5.5.8.3 Example nozzle layout
The circumference of the case study vessel having a 72-in.-(182 m)-
diameter shell is 226.195 in.. Therefore, the distance to the 45° line is
226.195 × 45/360 = 226.195 × 0.125 = 28.275 in.. One would measure
from the 0° line to 28.275 in. around the circumference of the shell at
both ends, then mark and pop a chalk line. Now from the transverse
work line, a measurement is taken across the chalk line to the
elevation of the nozzle; at this point you center punch the location
of the nozzle for cutting the opening.
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Chapter
Heat Exchanger Configurations
2014, Surface Production Operations (Third Edition), Volume 2
Maurice I. Stewart
Jr.
PhD, PE
4.2.13 Classification of Exchangers
Three-element shorthand
• First element—nominal diameter
• Second element—nominal length
•
Third element—type
4.2.13.1 Nominal Diameter
The nominal diameter is the inside diameter of the shell, in inches,
rounded off to the nearest integer. For kettle reboilers and chillers
(that have a narrow end and a fat end), the nominal diameter is the
port (narrow end) followed by the shell diameter, each rounded to
the nearest integer.
4.2.13.2 Nominal Length
The nominal length is the tube length, in inches. The tube length for
straight tubes is taken as the actual overall length. The tube length
for U tubes is taken as the straight length from the end of tube to the
bend tangent.
4 2 13 3 Type
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Chapter
REBOILERS
2007, Process Heat Transfer
R.W. Serth
Solution
Adding 4 in. to the liquid height to account for foaming gives an
effective liquid height of 26.4 in. = 2.2 ft. For the first trial, assume
the effective liquid height is approximately 60% of the shell
diameter. Then,
𝐷𝑠 = 2.2 / 0.6 = 3.67ft
Further, the ratio of sector height, h, to circle (shell) diameter is 40%,
i.e.,
ℎ / 𝐷 = 1 − 0.6 = 0.4
From the table in Appendix 10.A with h/D = 0.4, the sector area factor
is A = 0.29337. This value must be multiplied by the square of the
shell diameter to obtain the actual segment area. Thus,
2
𝑆𝐴 = 0.29337 ( 3.67 ) = 3.95ft2
Since this is less than the required dome segment area, a larger shell
diameter is needed. For the second trial, assume the effective liquid
height is 55% of the shell diameter. Then,
2.2
𝐷𝑠 = 0.55 = 4.0ft
h/D=1-0.55=0.45
𝐴 = 0.34278 ( Appendix 10.A )
2 2
𝑆0.34278 ( 4.0 ) = 5.48 ≅ 5.5ft
Therefore, a shell diameter of approximately 4 ft is required.
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Chapter
Heat Exchanger Configurations
2014, Surface Production Operations (Third Edition), Volume 2
Maurice I. Stewart
Jr.
PhD, PE
4.2.13.1 Nominal Diameter
The nominal diameter is the inside diameter of the shell, in inches,
rounded off to the nearest integer. For kettle reboilers and chillers
(that have a narrow end and a fat end), the nominal diameter is the
port (narrow end) followed by the shell diameter, each rounded to
the nearest integer.
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Chapter
Heat exchanger configurations
2021, Surface Production Operations
Maurice Stewart
10.2.1.3 TEMA classification
TEMA has developed nomenclature for describing shell-and-tube
heat exchangers. It includes a simple code for designating the size
and type of exchanger. In addition, standard terminology has been
set up to specify typical parts and connections. TEMA size is the shell
inside diameter in inches rounded to the nearest integer, followed by
the straight length of the tubes in inches rounded to the nearest
integer. The two dimensions are separated by a hyphen (-). The
three-letter shorthand is shown below.
• First letter—Nominal diameter
• Second letter—Nominal length
• Third letter—Type
For kettle reboiler and chillers (that have a narrow end and a fat
end), the nominal diameter is the port (narrow end) followed by the
shell diameter, each rounded off to the nearest integer. The two
dimensions are separated by a slash (/). The tube length for U tubes
is taken as the straight length from end of tube to bend tangent. The
“Type” as stated earlier is defined by a three-letter nomenclature.
Example 10.1: TEMA classification examples
• A fixed tube sheet (L) exchanger with removable channel and
cover (A), single pass shell (E), 23-in. inside diameter with tubes
16 ft long is denoted TEMA SIZE 23-192 TYPE AEL.
• A pull through floating head (T), kettle type reboiler (K) having
stationary head integral with tube sheet (C), 23-in. port diameter
and 37-in. inside shell diameter with tubes 16 ft long is denoted
as a TEMA SIZE 23/37-192 TYPE CKT.
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Review article
A comprehensive overview of the
continuous torrefaction method:
Operational characteristics,
applications, and challenges
2023, Journal of the Energy Institute
Arash Javanmard, ... Wan Mohd Ashri Wan Daud
5.2.1 Impact of particle diameter on the CV of
biomass in continuous torrefaction
There is little evidence that particle size has any noteworthy
impression on the CV. Irawan et al. [215] made the continuous
torrefaction of coconut shells in different particle sizes (15-30-
45 mm) under N2 at a certain temperature of 250 °C. The
consequences exhibited that increasing the particle diameter has an
undesirable influence on the CV. At a temperature of 250 °C, the
conditions of coconut shell diameter at 15 mm have a calorific value
of up to 30.23Kj.g−1 under residence time 30–45 min. Nevertheless,
when the shell size rose above 30 mm the calorific value decreased
by 27.88 KJ. g−1 which was attained only at the residence time of
30 min. This result showed that the diameter of the coconut shell of
15 mm was additional stable to reach a homogeneous condition
likened to the coconut shell diameter of 30 mm. They claimed that a
coconut shell with a size of 30 mm has a lengthier distance to the
process of heat and mass transfer between the situation of the agent
conduct to the outer wall of a coconut shell. Consequently, the larger
size of biomass can be one of the factors which can decrease the CV
of biomasses in continuous torrefaction. According to these scientific
outcomes, Wang et al. [242] found that during continuous
torrefaction, even though the temperature gradient for particles
with a diameter lesser than 1 mm is minuscule, the torrefaction
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Related terms:
Artificial Island, Heat Transfer Coefficient,
Fluidized Bed, Pressure Drop,
Tubes (Components), Heat Transfer Fluid,
Phase Change Material, Bundle Tube,
Diameter Tube, Exchanger.
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