Effectively Design Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers

heat exchangers (STHEs) is done by sophisticated computer software. However, a good understanding of the underlying principles of exchanger design is needed to use this software effectively. This article explains the basics of exchanger thermal design, covering such topics as: STHE components; classification of STHEs according to construction and according to service; data needed for thermal design; tubeside design; shellside design, including tube layout, baffling, and shellside pressure drop; and mean temperature difference. The basic equations for tubeside and shellside heat transfer and pressure drop are wellknown; here we focus on the application of these correlations for the optimum design of heat exchangers. A followup article on advanced topics in shell-and-tube heat exchanger design, such as allocation of shellside and tubeside fluids, use of multiple shells, overdesign, and fouling, is scheduled to appear in the next issue.