Research on shell-side heat and mass transfer with multi-component in LNG spiral-wound heat exchanger under sloshing conditions

The spiral-wound heat exchanger(SWHE) is the primary low-temperature heat exchanger for large-scale LNG plants due to its high-pressure resistance, compact structure, and high heat exchange efficiency. This paper studied the shell-side heat and mass transfer characteristics of vapor-liquid two-phase mixed refrigerants in an SWHE by combining a multi-component model in FLUENT software with a customized multicomponent mass transfer model. Besides, the mathematical model under the sloshing condition was obtained through mathematical derivation, and the corresponding UDF code was loaded into FLUENT as the momentum source term. The results under the sloshing conditions were compared with the relevant parameters under the steady-state condition. The shell-side heat and mass transfer characteristics of the SWHE were investigated by adjusting the component ratio and other working conditions. It was found that the sloshing conditions enhance the heat transfer performance and sometimes have insignificant effects. The sloshing condition is beneficial to reduce the flow resistance. The comprehensive performance of multi-component refrigerants has been improved and the improvement is more significant under sloshing conditions, considering both the heat transfer and pressure drop.These results will provide theoretical support for the research and design of multi-component heat and mass transfer enhancement of LNG SWHE under ocean sloshing conditions.

Numerical Simulation of Liquified Natural Gas Boiling Heat Transfer Characteristics in Helically Coiled Tube-in-Tube Heat Exchangers

Helically coiled tube-in-tube(HCTT)heat exchangers are widely applied to the process technology because of their compactness and higher heat transfer efficiency.HCTT heat exchangers play an important role in liquified natural gas(LNG)use and cold energy recovery.The heat transfer characteristics,pressure distribution,and degree of vaporization of LNG in HCTT heat exchangers are numerically investigated.By comparing the simulation results of the computational model with existing experimental results,the effectiveness of the computational model is verified.The numerical simulation results show the vapor volume fraction of the HCTT heat exchanger is related to the inlet Reynolds number,inner tube diameters,and helix diameter.The vapor volume fraction increases rapidly from the fourth to the seventh equal division points of the helix tube length.On condition that the inlet Reynolds number is greater than 33500,the pressure drop rate gradually increases.When the magnitude of the vapor volume fraction is below 0.2,the heat transfer coefficient increase rate is greater than that when the vapor volume fraction is above 0.2.The heat exchange efficiency of HCTT heat exchangers increases with the decrease of the ratio of helix diameter to inner tube diameter.

Numerical Studies on Thermal and Hydrodynamic Characteristics of LNG in Helically Coiled Tube-in-Tube Heat Exchangers

As compact and efficient heat exchange equipment,helically coiled tube-in-tube heat exchangers(HCTT heat exchangers)are widely used in many industrial processes.However,the thermal-hydraulic research of liquefied natural gas(LNG)as the working fluid inHCTT heat exchangers is rarely reported.In this paper,the characteristics of HCTT heat exchangers,in which LNG flows in the inner tube and ethylene glycol-water solution flows in the outer tube,are studied by numerical simulations.The influences of heat transfer characteristics and pressure drops of the HCTT heat transfers are studied by changing the initial flow velocity,the helical middle diameter,and the helical pitch.The results indicate that different initial flow velocities in the inner tube and the outer tube of the HCTT heat exchanger have little influence on the secondary flow of the fluid in the helical tubes,and the overall flow characteristics tend to be stable.The smaller helical middle diameter of the HCTT heat exchanger leads to the shorter fluid flow length,the smaller resistance along the tubes and the increase of initial pressure under the condition of constant inlet velocity,which promotes the occurrence of secondary flow.The axial flow of fluid promotes the destruction of heat transfer boundary layer and gains strength of the turbulence and heat transfer efficiency.With the increase of the helical pitch of the HCTT heat exchanger,the turbulent intensity and the heat transfer efficiency are also increased.Moreover,the improvement of the flow state of the HCTT exchanger in a longer helical pitch also enhances the heat exchange efficiency.

Mathematical Modelling and Design of Helical Coil Heat Exchanger for Production of Hot Air for Fluidized Bed Dryer

In global industrialization, efforts have been made to increase the rate of heat transfer in heat exchanger, minimizing the size of heat exchanger to reduce cost as well as increasing the effectiveness. Helical coil heat exchanger (HCHE) has been proven to be effective in improving heat transfer due to its large surface area. In this study, HCHE was designed to provide hot air needed for fluidized bed drying processes. The HCHE design model was fabricated and evaluated to study the efficiency of the hot air output for a laboratory fluidized bed dryer. The mathematical model for estimation of the final (output) temperature of air, Taf, passing through the HCHE was developed and validated experimentally. The drying of bitter kola particulates was carried out with a drying temperature of 50C 3C and a bed height-to-bed diameter ratio (H/D) of 1.5. The time taken to dry bitter kola particulates to 0.4% moisture content was 1 hour 45 minutes. Hence, HCHE is recommended for use in the production of hot for laboratory-scale fluidized bed dryers.

Analysis of influence of heat exchangerfouling on heat transfer performancebased on thermal fluid coupling

A study on heat transfer performance by thermal fluid coupling simulation for the fouling in a shell-tube heat exchanger used in engineering was presented. The coupling simulation was performed in a fluid and solid domains under three different fouling conditions: fouling inside the tube, fouling outside the tube, and fouling inside the shell. The flow field, temperature, and pressure distributions in the heat exchanger were solved numerically to analyze the heat transfer performance parameters, such as thermal resistance. It is found that the pressure drop of the heat exchanger and the thermal resistance of the tube wall increase by nearly 30% and 20%, respectively, when the relative fouling thickness reaches 10%. The fouling inside the tube has more impact on the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger, and the fouling inside the shell has less impact.

Implementation of heat exchanger performance testing system of heat transfer and flow resistance

A heat transfer performance testing system is presented with its hardware structure, operation principle, and software control and measurement system. Working fluids of the subsystem include thermal conducting oil, compressed air, glycol water solution and water as the heating fluids, and air and water as the cooling fluids. The heat transfer performance testing of heat exchangers can be conducted not only for a conventional one heating fluid to one cooling fluid, but also for a compound air cooling heat exchanger with two or three heating fluids in parallel or in series. The control and measurement system is implemented based on a LabVIEW software platform, consisting of the data acquisition and process system, and the automotive operation and control system. By using advanced measuring instruments combined with sound computer software control, the testing system has characteristics of a compact structure, high accuracy, a wide range of testing scope and a friendly operation interface. The uncertainty of the total heat transfer coefficient K is less than 5%. The testing system provides a reliable performance testing platform for designing and developing new heat exchangers.

Numerical simulation of heat transfer enhancement by strip-coil-baffles in tube-bundle for a tube-shell heat exchanger

A novel strip-coil-baffle structure used to enhance heat transfer and support the tube bundle for a tube-shell heat exchanger is proposed. The new structure can sleeve the tubes in bundle alternatively to create a vortex flow in a heat exchanger. The numerical simulation on the flow and heat transfer characteristics for this new structure heat exchanger is conducted. The computational domain consists of two strip-coil sleeved tubes and two bare tubes oppositely placed at each comer of a square. The velocity and temperature fields in such strip-coil-baffled channel are simulated using FLUENT software. The effects of the strip-coil-baffles on heat transfer enhancement and flow resistance in relation to the Reynolds number are analyzed. The results show that this new structure bundle can enhance the heat transfer coefficient up to a range of 40% to 55% in comparison with a bare tube bundle; meanwhile, higher flow resistance is also accompanied. It is believe that the strip-coil- baffled heat exchanger should have promising applications in many industry fields.

CFD-Based Optimization of a Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger

The main objective of this study is the technical optimization of a Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger(STHE).In order to do so,a simulation model is introduced that takes into account the related gas-phase circulation.Then,simulation verification experiments are designed in order to validate the model.The results show that the tem-peraturefield undergoes strong variations in time when an inlet wind speed of 6 m/s is considered,while the heat transfer error reaches a minimum of 5.1%.For an inlet velocity of 9 m/s,the heat transfer drops to the lowest point,while the heat transfer error reaches a maximum,i.e.,9.87%.The pressure drop increasesfirst and then decreases with an increase in the wind speed and reaches a maximum of 819 Pa under the 9 m/s wind speed con-dition.Moreover,the pressure drops,and the heat transfer coefficient increases with the Reynolds number.

Comparison of heat transfer performances of helix baffled heat exchangers with different baffle configurations

Numerical simulations were performed on flow and heat transfer performances of heat exchangers having six helical baffles of different baffle shapes and assembly configurations, i.e., two trisection baffle schemes, two quadrant baffle schemes, and two continuous helical baffle schemes. The temperature contour or the pressure contour and velocity contour plots with superimposed velocity vectors on meridian, transverse and unfolded concentric hexagonal slices are presented to obtain a full angular view. For the six helix baffled heat exchangers,the different patterns of the single vortex secondary flow and the shortcut leakage flow were depicted as well as the heat transfer properties were compared. The results show that the optimum scheme among the six configurations is a circumferential overlap trisection helix baffled heat exchanger with a baffle incline angle of 20°(20°TCO) scheme with an anti-shortcut baffle structure, which exhibits the second highest pressure dropΔpo, the highest overall heat transfer coefficient K, shell-side heat transfer coefficient hoand shell-side average comprehensive index ho/Δpo.

Performance comparison for oil-water heat transfer of circumferential overlap trisection helical baffle heat exchanger

The performance tests were conducted on oil–water heat transfer in circumferential overlap trisection helical baffle heat exchangers with incline angles of 12°, 16°, 20°, 24° and 28°, and compared with a segmental baffle heat exchanger. The results show that the shell side heat transfer coefficient h_o and pressure drop Δp_o both increase while the comprehensive index h_o/Δp_o decreases with the increase of the mass flow rate of all schemes. And the shell side heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop and the comprehensive index ho/Δpo decrease with the increase of the baffle incline angle at a certain mass flow rate. The average values of shell side heat transfer coefficient and the comprehensive index h_o/Δp_o of the 12° helical baffled scheme are above 50% higher than those of the segmental one correspondingly, while the pressure drop value is very close and the ratios of the average values are about 1.664 and 1.596, respectively. The shell-side Nusselt number Nu_o and the comprehensive index Nu_o·Eu_(zo)^(-1) increase with the increase of Reynolds number of the shell side axial in all schemes, and the results also demonstrate that the small incline angled helical scheme has better comprehensive performance.

Heat transfer enhancement of finned shell and tube heat exchanger using Fe_(2)O_(3)/water nanofluid

Heat transfer mechanisms and their thermal performances need to be comprehensively studied in order to optimize efficiency and minimize energy losses.Different nanoparticles in the base fluid are investigated to upgrade the thermal performance of heat exchangers.In this numerical study,a finned shell and tube heat exchanger has been designed and different volume concentrations of nanofluid were tested to determine the effect of utilizing nanofluid on heat transfer.Fe_(2)O_(3)/water nanofluids with volume concentration of 1%,1.5% and 2% were utilized as heat transfer fluid in the heat exchanger and the obtained results were compared with pure water.ANSYS Fluent software as a CFD method was employed in order to simulate the mentioned problem.Numerical simulation results indicated the successful utilization of nanofluid in the heat exchanger.Also,increasing the ratio of Fe_(2)O_(3) nanoparticles caused more increment in thermal energy without important pressure drop.Moreover,it was revealed that the highest heat transfer rate enhancement of 19.1% can be obtained by using nanofluid Fe_(2)O_(3)/water with volume fraction of 2%.

Experimental Study on Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of Micro-Sized Tube Heat Exchanger

A micro-sized tube heat exchanger(MTHE) was fabricated, and its performance in heat transfer and pressure drop was experimentally studied. The single-phase forced convection heat transfer correlation on the sides of the MTHE tubes was proposed and compared with previous experimental data in the Reynolds number range of 500—1 800. The average deviation of the correlation in calculating the Nusselt number was about 6.59%. The entrance effect in the thermal entrance region was discussed. In the same range of Reynolds number, the pressure drop and friction coefficient were found to be considerably higher than those predicted by the conventional correlations. The product of friction factor and Reynolds number was also a constant, but much higher than the conventional.

Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer Characteristics of Horizontal Ground Heat Exchanger in Frozen Soil Layer

A simplified numerical model of heat transfer characteristics of horizontal ground heat exchanger (GHE) in the frozen soil layer is presented and the steady-state distribution of temperature field is simulated. Numerical results show that the frozen depth mainly depends on the soil′s moisture content and ambient temperature. The heat transfer loss of horizontal GHE tends to grow with the increase of the soil′s moisture content and the decrease of ambient temperature. Backfilled materials with optimal thermal conductivity can reduce the thermal loss effectively in the frozen soil. The applicability of the Chinese national standard “Technical Code for Ground Source Heat Pump (GB 50366-2005)” is verified. For a ground source heat pump project, the feasible layout of horizontal GHE should be determined based on the integration of the soil′s structure, backfilled materials, weather data, and economic analysis.

Research on the falling film flow and heat transfer characteristics of FLNG spiral wound heat exchanger under sea conditions

As the key equipment of floating liquefied natural gas(FLNG)process,the performance of spiral wound heat exchanger(SWHE)influences operation costs and reliability of the whole system.The sea conditions destroy the falling film flow state of the refrigeration and then affect the heat transfer performance of FLNG SWHE.In order to design and optimize the SWHE,a cryogenic experimental device of FLNG process and a numerical model of falling film flow have been constructed to study the effects of sea conditions on the falling film flow and heat transfer characteristics of SWHE.The cryogenic experimental results show that the pitching conditions have larger effects on the heat transfer performance than yawing.Under the pitching angle of 7°,the natural gas temperature and gaseous refrigerant temperature increase by 3.22°C and 7.42°C,respectively.The flow rates of refrigerant and feed natural gas have a great impact on the heat transfer performance of SWHE under pitching and compound sloshing conditions.When the tilt angle increases to 9°,the tube structure with outer diameter D=8 mm and pipe spacing S=4 mm is recommended to reduce the drying area of the pipe wall surface.

A numerical study on heat transfer enhancement and design of a heat exchanger with porous media in continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis system

The aim of this study is to use a new configuration of porous media in a heat exchanger in continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis(CHFS)system to enhance the heat transfer and minimize the required length of the heat exchanger.For this purpose,numerous numerical simulations are performed to investigate performance of the system with porous media.First,the numerical simulation for the heat exchanger in CHFS system is validated by experimental data.Then,porous media is added to the system and six different thicknesses for the porous media are examined to obtain the optimum thickness,based on the minimum required length of the heat exchanger.Finally,by changing the flow rate and inlet temperature of the product as well as the cooling water flow rate,the minimum required length of the heat exchanger with porous media for various inlet conditions is assessed.The investigations indicate that using porous media with the proper thickness in the heat exchanger increases the cooling rate of the product by almost 40% and reduces the required length of the heat exchanger by approximately 35%.The results also illustrate that the most proper thickness of the porous media is approximately equal to 90% of the product tube's thickness.Results of this study lead to design a porous heat exchanger in CHFS system for various inlet conditions.

Minimizing investment cost for multi-period heat exchanger network retrofit by matching heat transfer areas with different strategies

Multi-period heat exchanger network(HEN) retrofit is usually performed by targeting and matching heat transfer areas. In this paper, based on the reverse order matching method we proposed previously, three strategies of matching heat transfer areas are proposed to minimize the investment cost for the retrofit of HEN in multiperiod, in which replacement of heat exchangers, addition of heat exchangers and addition of heat transfer areas are performed. We demonstrate the procedures through three scenarios, including maximum number of substituted heat exchangers after retrofit, minimum additional heat transfer areas in the retrofitted HEN, and minimum investment cost for retrofit. The strategies are extended to a single period HEN retrofit problem. The results of multi-period and single period HEN retro fit problems indicate the effectiveness of the strategies. Moreover, these results are better than those reported in literature. The strategies are simple and easy to implement,which are of great benefit to large-scale HEN retrofit in practice.

Heat Transfer in Helical Coil Heat Exchanger

The research paper tends to review the effectiveness of helical coil in heat exchangers (HCHE). Heat exchanger is a device used in transferring thermal energy between two or more fluids or solid interfaces and a fluid, in solid particulates and a fluid at different temperatures and thermal contact. The author has concisely discussed the helical coil in heat exchanger at different shapes and conditions and compared the HCHE with straight tubes heat exchangers, and the factors affecting the performance and effectiveness of the helical coil heat exchanger such as the curvature ratio, and other heat exchangers. The author demonstrated that the HCHE provided more excellent heat transfer performance and effectiveness than straight tubes and other heat exchangers because of secondary flow development inside the helical tube, and heat transfer coefficient increased with an increase in the curvature ratio of HCHE for the same flow rates. The secondary flow and mass flow rates, advantages and disadvantages have also been reviewed. The authors back their findings with available theories. Suitable fluid should be searched for high efficiency in the helical coil.

Analysis of secondary flow in shell-side channel of trisection helix heat exchangers

The flow characteristics of shell-side fluid in the tube-and-shell heat exchangers with trisection helical baffles with 35° inclined angles are numerically analyzed. The secondary flow distribution of the fluid in the shell-side channel is focused on. The results on meridian planes indicate that in the shell-side channel, the center part of fluid has an outward tendency because of the centrifugal force, and the peripheral region fluid has an inward tendency under the centripetal force. So in a spiral cycle, the fluid is divided into the upper and lower beams of streamlines, at the same time the Dean vortices are formed near the left baffle, and then the fluid turns to centripetal flow near the right baffle. Finally the two beams of streamlines merge in the main flow. The results of a number of parallel slices between two parallel baffles with the same sector in a swirl cycle also show the existence of the secondary flow and some backward flows at the V-gaps of the adjacent baffles. The secondary flows have a positive effect on mixing fluid by promoting the momentum and mass exchange between fluid particles near the tube wall and in the main stream, and thus they will enhance the heat transfer of the helix heat exchanger.

Laminar Heat Transfer Modeling and Investigation of Thermal Dispersion in a Flat Plate Heat Exchanger： Estimating Heat Transfer Coefficient, Heat Flux and Nusselt Number

PHEs （plate heat exchangers） are among the most common thermal equipments in diverse industries particularly in oil and gas companies. This wide usage is obviously due to significant benefits of these heat exchangers over other types. In this article, a behavioral analysis of heat transfer in fiat plates of these heat exchangers in laminar flow situation through CFD （computational fluid dynamics） simulation using FLUENT 6.3.26 software is done. The study reveals results graphically based on fluid＇s behavior in co-current and counter current flows and discusses thermal indexes consisting of heat transfer coefficient, Nusslet and total heat flux in both conditions. Eventually, a comparison via the graphical results is presented between the two types of flow directions.

A Cell Model to Describe and Optimize Heat and Mass Transfer in Contact Heat Exchangers

A cell model to describe and optimize heat and mass transfer in contact heat exchangers for utilization of exhaust gases heat is proposed. The model is based on the theory of Markov chains and allows calculating heat and mass transfer at local moving force of the processes in each cell. The total process is presented as two parallel chains of cells (one for water flow and one for gas flow). The corresponding cells of the chains can exchange heat and mass, and water and gas can travel along their chains according to their transition ma-trices. The results of numerical experiments showed that the most part of heat transfer occurs due to moisture condensation from gas and the most intense heat transfer goes near the inlet of gas. Experimental validation of the model showed a good correlation between calculated and experimental data for an industrial contact heat exchanger if appropriate empirical equations were used to calculate heat and mass transfer coefficient. It was also shown that there exists the optimum height of heat exchanger that gave the maximum gain in heat energy utilization.