CFD simulations of shell-side flow in a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger with and without baffles

• y+>15y+>15 using std k–εk–ε model is recommended for CFD simulation of heat exchanger.
• For L/Dh<21L/Dh<21, Nusselt number is largely controlled by cross flow in nozzle area.
• CFD studies reveal recirculation zones and leakage flows in shell side flow.
• Outlet length to shell velocity ratio must be at least 2.5 for code convergence.

Shell-and-tube heat exchanger has been extensively used in industrial and research fronts for more than a century. However, most of its design procedures are based on empirical correlations extracted from experimental data of long length shell and tube heat exchanger. In this paper, an attempt has been made to investigate the complex flow and temperature pattern in such a short shell and tube type heat exchanger, with and without baffles in the shell side. Heat exchangers of length by hydraulic diameter ratio between 7