In a heat exchanger where condensed liquid is generated, should the hot fluid flow through the tube side or the shell side?
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As shown in the diagram, there is a hot natural gas stream containing heavy hydrocarbons at 40°C, and a cold natural gas stream at -50°C. After heat exchange, the temperature of the hot stream drops to 0°C, and liquid heavy hydrocarbons are produced. The heat exchanger is of the BEM type; should the hot stream flow through the tube side? Otherwise, the condensed liquid is blocked by the baffle, affecting the heat exchange efficiency?
When phase change occurs, it is better to use the shell side, as this facilitates heat transfer. Of course, other factors also need to be taken into consideration, such as flow rate, pressure, and allowable pressure drop.
Phase change is not the most important factor in choosing the tube-side and shell-side configuration; issues such as condensate buildup caused by baffles can be resolved. In my opinion, pressure, hazard, pressure drop, and scaling problems are of higher priority.
Since phase change occurs in the medium, it should naturally flow through the shell side. Aren’t you curious about where the liquid level is? Only the shell side allows for the installation of upper and lower outlets for installing a level gauge, thus satisfying your curiosity – something that’s not possible when the medium flows through the tube side. :lol