I have a shell/tube heat exchanger which has no nameplate and is of unknown origin. I know all about the physical dimensions. We need to use it as a cooler with cooling water in the tubes and process fluid (ethylene glycol) in the shell. How can I ‘reverse engineer’ this thing to estimate its cooling capacity? (I don’t have the luxury of budget or facility to set up a test to take measurements.)
Description is as follows:
107 Finned U-tubes end-to-end length varies but ~ total combined tube length is 32,852 inches.
U-Tube data: Copper 90/10 Nickel alloy, 5/8” O.D. x .035 wall thk.
Baffle Configurations: 3 each “edge flow” baffles; each baffle has 17.25 square inches of edge flow area.
2 each “center flow” baffles; each baffle has 13 square inches of center flow area.
Shell Data: Steel, 21 5/8” O.D. x 20” I.D.
Shell inlet and outlet flow areas; 6.5 square inches (each).
Shell length (inside head to head distance): 13’-0”
Shell assembly is single pass arrangement.
For my present purposes, I can probably estimate pressure drops, all I really need is advice on estimating thermal performance. Thanks to anyone who can respond.
TC7
Description is as follows:
107 Finned U-tubes end-to-end length varies but ~ total combined tube length is 32,852 inches.
U-Tube data: Copper 90/10 Nickel alloy, 5/8” O.D. x .035 wall thk.
Baffle Configurations: 3 each “edge flow” baffles; each baffle has 17.25 square inches of edge flow area.
2 each “center flow” baffles; each baffle has 13 square inches of center flow area.
Shell Data: Steel, 21 5/8” O.D. x 20” I.D.
Shell inlet and outlet flow areas; 6.5 square inches (each).
Shell length (inside head to head distance): 13’-0”
Shell assembly is single pass arrangement.
For my present purposes, I can probably estimate pressure drops, all I really need is advice on estimating thermal performance. Thanks to anyone who can respond.
TC7
