Thermal-hydraulic performance of Vipertex 1EHT enhanced heat transfer tubes

•Vipertex 1EHT tubes produce heat transfer increases of almost 550% for a friction factor penalty of only 33%.•1EHT tubes at a Re = 750 provides the same amount of heat transfer that smooth tube does for twenty times that value.•Vipertex 1EHT series of tubes provides a means to significantly advance many heat exchange processes.

Heat transfer enhancement plays an important role in improving energy efficiency. Transition from laminar to turbulent flow for smooth tubes is typically assumed to occur for a Reynolds Number of approximately 2,300. Vipertex 1EHT enhanced tubes produce an early transition at Reynolds Numbers near 750 and for the same conditions they can provide the same amount of heat transfer that smooth tubes produce for flows that are twenty times greater. Low Reynolds Number flow (sometimes due to the lack of process water) is a typical process requirement in many areas of the world and can cause major design challenges. Use of Vipertex 1EHT enhanced heat transfer tubes can decrease process water requirements and provide higher performance levels within the same equipment footprint.In a comparison of the heat transfer for some constant flow rates, the Vipertex 1EHT surface can produce heat transfer increases of more than 500% when compared to smooth tubes. Advantages of the Vipertex 1EHT design (when compared to smooth tubes) include the maximization of heat transfer; minimization of operating costs; and/or minimization of the rate of surface fouling. These enhanced tubes recover more energy and provide an opportunity to advance the design of many heat transfer products.