Thermal And Cfd Analysis Of Shell And Tube Heat Exchanger Used In Solvent Extraction Plant

Abstract

A heat exchanger is a device designed to facilitate effective heat transfer between two different mediums. These mediums can either be isolated by a solid barrier to avoid mixing or come into direct contact with each other. Heat exchangers find extensive applications in various industries such as space heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, power generation, chemical processing, petrochemical refining, natural gas treatment, and sewage treatment. An illustrative instance of a heat exchanger is evident in an internal combustion engine, where a circulating fluid, known as engine coolant, passes through radiator coils. Simultaneously, air flows over these coils, resulting in the cooling of the coolant and the heating of the incoming air.

The current study aims to raise awareness regarding fouling on surfaces and ascertain the overall heat transfer coefficient in a heat exchanger. Additionally, it conducts a comprehensive energy analysis on heat exchangers and establishes a correlation for the logarithmic mean temperature difference, adapting it for various types of heat exchangers through the incorporation of a correction factor. A formula is derived for effectiveness, enabling the analysis of heat exchangers even when outlet temperatures are unknown, employing the effectiveness NTU Method. Ultimately, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and cost analysis are performed to identify the most efficient heat exchanger.