Do falling film reboilers that use steam as the heating medium require baffles?
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I saw a table of conditions for a falling film reboiler, where steam is used as the heating medium and flows through the shell side, while the process material flows through the tube side. One of the columns states that there are 8 baffle plates, single arch shape, horizontal. I remember that the purpose of the baffle is to create turbulence and enhance heat exchange efficiency. But for steam, the condensed water is produced after conversion, and steam moves without any dead zones – is it necessary to install baffle plates?
It’s a setting meant to prevent steam from reaching the bottom, so that heat exchange can occur properly in other areas
1. The baffle meets the process requirements； 2. The baffle plates must meet the strength design requirements! It cannot be canceled!
In addition to creating turbulence, baffle plates also support the heat exchange tubes, preventing them from vibrating. The function here is mainly not to perturb, but to provide support; strength and stiffness requirements exist, so it cannot be removed.
The steam flows through the shell side; this is called a support plate, and of course it’s necessary – it’s present on the 151