Should the cooling water control valve for shell-and-tube condensers be installed at the inlet or the outlet?
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For shell-and-tube condensers where the cooling water flows through the shell side, should the control valve be installed at the inlet or at the outlet? If it’s at the inlet, will the water take a shortcut?
When I operate it, I adjust the water flow in, with all the outlet valves fully open. I wonder why the original poster’s system experienced a short circuit? Is there also a bypass design?
It should be connected to the outlet. First, it is necessary to maximize the volume of water inside the equipment (so that an excessive amount of return water does not reduce the heat exchange area of the water within the device) ； Second, reduce the pressure difference between the tube side and the shell side to extend the service life ； So it needs to be added at the exit. (For reference)
It should be added to the outlet, with the inlet kept fully open.
Cooling water should be considered a working medium in this case; I think it should be placed at the inlet, as this allows for control over the water volume. Placing it at the outlet might cause pressure shocks to the heat exchanger
The control valve should be connected to the outlet. If the control valve is installed at the inlet, when the condenser is located at a high position, excessive return water may cause the condenser to not be fully filled with liquid, reducing the heat exchange area and thus lowering the efficiency of the heat exchanger ； It also increases the pressure difference between the tube side and the shell side; in some cases, a negative pressure can occur in the shell side of the heat exchanger. In severe situations, this can lead to vibration, thereby reducing the service life of the heat exchanger.
2. The points mentioned for floors 6 and 7 are correct; they should be added at the exits.