Numerical And Experimental Study Of Helix Heat Exchanger

Shell and tube heat exchangers with helical baffles are used for improved performance by reducing pressure drop, vibration, and fouling while maintaining a higher heat transfer capability. In the present study, a 3D numerical simulation of a Shell and tube heat exchanger with a continuous helical baffle is carried out by using commercial codes of GAMBIT 2.3 and FLUENT 6.3. An experimental analysis and numerical comparison is provided that examines developments and improvements on a conventional Shell and Tube heat exchanger (STHX) and a Shell and tube heat exchanger with a continuous helical baffle (STHXHB).The analysis has been made for both cold and hot fluid. It was found that the increase in total heat transfer rate is 09 % to 23 % for the STHXHB compared with STHX for different hot fluid velocities. It is also concluded that STHXHB have a higher total heat transfer rate and a lower pressure drop when compared to the STHX for the same mass flow rate and inlet condition. There is good agreement between numerical and experimental results. Key words: Heat transfer rate, pressure drop, helica