A shell and tube heat exchanger is a type of heat exchanger that consists of a cylindrical shell (also known as a housing) and a bundle of tubes inside it. It is designed to facilitate efficient heat transfer between two fluids while keeping them physically separated.
The shell is a large, robust vessel that enclose the tube bundle. The shell also has inlet and outlet ports for the entry and exit of the fluid.
The tube bundle is composed of multiple tubes, which are usually made of material that provide good thermal conductivity, such as Stainless Steel, Titanium, Hastelloy, Inconel, Monel, Nickel 200, Duplex, Super Duplex, Cu-Ni alloys, The tubes can be arranged in various configuration, including parallel, U-shaped, or helical designs. The choice of tube arrangement depends on factors such as the desired heat transfer efficiency, flow rate, and space limitations.
During operation, the two fluids pass on opposite sides of the tube walls, creating a temperature gradient. Heat is transferred from the hotter fluid (process fluid) to the colder fluid (service fluid) through the tube walls via conduction. The large surface area provided by the numerous tubes facilitates efficient heat transfer between the two fluids.
Sheel and tube heat exchangers are widely used in various industries due to their versatility, reliability, and efficiency. They are commonly found in applications such as power generation, chemical processing, oil refining, HVAC systems, refrigeration, and many other thermal processes.
