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Heat exchanger optimization

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carolina8

Chemical
Joined
May 18, 2001
Messages
5
Location
MX
I want to reach highest temperatures in an existing shell & tube heat exchanger with minimal modifications.

Actual situation:
Heating a fuel mass M to 300°C in the tube side of a shell & tube heat exchanger.

Objective:
Heat the fuel mass M to 350°C in the same heat exchanger.

Restrictions:
When over heat the fuel, it forms coke. The experience with this fuel says that the coke forms when fouling.

I am thinking in the possibility to use static mixers, to promote heat transfer and avoid fouling.
Can anyone suggest some other ways to explore?
Does anybody have some similar experience?
Can anyone let me know if static mixers can work? Some companies that make static mixers to promote heat transfer? If possible, could I get a phone number and/or website address?
Any help is welcome.
 
Usually Reynolds no. is quite high (turbulent flow) on the tube side. Using static mixers should therefore not have a large positive effect (although it will introduce pressure drop).

You should make a calculation of the heattransfer coefficient and check wether the largest heat transfer resistance is on the tube on the shell side. If the major part of the resistance is on the shell side - then attempts to increase the heat transfer from the tube side will have little effect.

Best Regards

Morten
 
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