Int J Performability Eng ›› 2019, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (9): 2294-2304.

Shell Side CFD Analysis of a Small Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger with Elliptical Tubes

Piyush Gupta*, Avdhesh Kr. Sharma, and Raj Kumar

1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal (Sonipat), 131027, India
• Submitted on  ;  Revised on  ; Accepted on
• Contact: *. E-mail address: piyushmiet23@gmail.com

Abstract: In this article, the thermal and flow characteristics of a small, single pass, STHX fitted with elliptical tubes are resolved using commercial ANSYS Fluent. A 3D CFD model in solid edge was built, while the physical domain was discretized into tetrahedral elements of 50,71,151 with 9,56,469 nodes using ICEM-CFD 14.0. The most suitable k - ε realizable model for turbulence was employed. The influence of baffle spacing and different angle of attack for STHX with elliptical tubes is highlighted while fixing baffle cut at 36%. Results show that a five-baffled STHX with elliptical tube arranged in triangular tube layout is found to be most effective for angle of attack of 0°.