What is shell type heat exchanger?
A shell heat exchanger (SHE) is a type of heat exchanger that is made up of a large cylindrical enclosure, or shell with bundles of tubing compacted inside.
Shell heat exchangers are designed using highly technical computer design parameters. The shell, shell cover, tubes, channel, channel cover, tube sheet, baffles, and nozzles, are among the device's components.
How do Shell Heat Exchangers function?
A shell heat exchanger's concept and operation are straightforward, based on the flow and thermal contact of two liquids. A shell and tube heat exchanger's name explains the process, which is the exchange of temperature between two fluids. In a heat exchanger, a heated or hot fluid flows around a cold fluid, transferring heat in the direction of the cold fluid's flow.
There will be an exchange or transfer of heat through a conductive surface in any situation, where two pieces of material make contact. A shell heat exchanger is a device that allows two fluids to exchange or transfer heat, via conductive metals.
The shell side's fluid flow
When calculating fluid flow for the shell side, keep in mind that the shell is more expensive to manufacture than the tubes, and is more difficult to clean. Baffles on the shell side direct the flow of fluid across the tube bundles.
Viscous fluids and fluids with a high flow rate are processed through the shell side, which have more turbulence and a higher transfer coefficient, resulting in better heat transfer. Normally, large temperature changes are performed on the shell side.
Flow types in Shell type heat exchanger
Part of the classification process for shell and tube heat exchangers, includes categorizing them based on their characteristics to facilitate understanding of their function, and operation. The flow type is one of the characteristics used to categorize them.
Shell heat exchangers have three flow types: parallel, counter, and cross. The three flow types must be used in combination due to the design, operation, and applications.
1. When the shell sides enter the heat exchanger at the same end and flow directly to the opposite end, this is referred to as parallel flow. The temperature change for each fluid is the same, and increases or decreases by the same amount.
2. When fluids flow in opposite directions, they enter the heat exchanger at opposite ends and exit at opposite ends. The most common and efficient type of heat exchanger is the counter flow.
3. Fluids flow perpendicular to each other at a 90o angle in a cross flow shell and tube heat exchanger. One of the fluids in a cross heat exchanger changes state (similar to how cooling water absorbs steam in a steam system condenser), and is then absorbed by the fluid that has remained in its liquid state.
Benefits of Shell Type Heat Exchangers
Shell heat exchangers are integrated into the processing equipment flow in refineries and factories, to allow for the smooth and efficient transfer or exchange of heat.
· Cost: Cost is an important advantage of shell heat exchangers. They are significantly less expensive than plate coolers.
· Capacity for Heat: Heat exchangers must be able to withstand a wide range of temperatures, which vary depending on the application. Their ability to withstand extreme temperatures aids in production and operations. Shell heat exchangers have a high temperature working capacity, and can be tailored to any environment.
· Pressure:A shell heat exchanger's high pressure necessitates the use of thick materials, which makes the exchanger very heavy or prohibitively expensive if nickel alloys are used. High pressure causes major issues and results in a loss of production. The shells of shell heat exchangers are tested and designed to withstand pressure variations.
· Expansion of Heat: Thermal expansion between the tubes and shell is possible due to the multi-tube design, of shell heat exchangers. This configuration allows the heat exchanger to work with flammable and toxic fluids.
What do we offer?
If you have any questions about wastewater treatment plants, their design, installation, commissioning, and services, or if you would like to discuss about heat exchangers and their use in WWTPs, please contact the Netsol Water team right away. Our team is an expert in water and wastewater treatment, and can help you tailor a solution to your specific requirements
We collaborate with our clients to design a customized solution that meets your specific requirements, as well as an on-going service plan to completely maintain your system.