Performance Analysis of Shell & Tube Type Heat Exchanger under the Effect of Varied Operating Conditions

Abstract

This paper consists of extensive thermal analysis of the effects of severe loading conditions on the performance of the heat exchanger. To serve the purpose a simplified model of shell and tube type heat exchanger has been designed using kern’s method to cool the water from 55 to 45 by using water at room temperature. Then we have carried out steady state thermal analysis on ANSYS 14.0 to justify the design. After that the practical working model of the same has been fabricated using the components of the exact dimensions as derived from the designing. We have tested the heat exchanger under various flow conditions using the insulations of aluminium foil, cotton wool, tape, foam, paper etc. We have also tested the heat exchanger under various ambient temperatures to see its effect on the performance of the heat exchanger. Moreover we have tried to create the turbulence by closing the pump opening and observed its effect on its effectiveness. All these observations along with their discussions have been discussed in detail inside the paper.