Coolant water flows inside the pipes

If condensation occurs, it’s better for the steam to be on the shell side. I think saying that it flows inside the pipe due to high viscosity applies in the case of no phase change. Looking forward to an answer downstairs.

It can be determined as follows as to which medium should flow in the tube side and which in the shell side: Corrosive media flow in the tube side; toxic media flow in the tube side; media prone to scaling flow in the tube side; media with high pressure flow in the tube side; media with high temperature flow in the tube side. Media with high viscosity and low flow rate flow in the shell side; fluids with a low Reynolds number flow in the shell side

Principles for determining the flow path of the heat exchange medium: 1. Cooling water flows in the tube side, as it tends to form scale easily； 2. Corrosive media are passed through the tube side to reduce corrosion in the shell side ； 3. Media that easily accumulates sediment flows through the tube side; blockages can be easily cleared if they occur ； 4. Toxic media flow through the tube side to prevent direct leakage of such media into the external environment ； 5. The two fluids with lower viscosity flow in the tube side, to facilitate turbulent flow of the medium in that side ； 6. Media with high pressure and high temperature flow in the tube side, which reduces the requirements for the material used in the shell side; moreover, the tube side is relatively easier to replace ； 7. Fluids with low flow rate flow through the tube side ； 8. The steam containing uncondensed gas flows through the tube side. Note: In case of conflicts between the above principles in practical application, their priorities should be considered comprehensively before a decision is made.

In most water-cooled heat exchangers, the water flows through the tube side, resulting in good heat exchange efficiency.

Mainly, oil does not tend to form scale; furthermore, propylene is a gas, and under normal pressure it does not liquefy even with water cooling.

Generally, this approach of using the shell side yields better heat exchange performance.

The general principle is that fluids under more severe conditions flow through the tube side, as the tubes are easy to replace, cost little, and have no impact on the shell. Furthermore, by using multiple tubes in the pipe side, the fluid flow velocity can be increased, thereby improving the heat transfer coefficient. The factors to consider are well explained upstairs: corrosivity, toxicity, scaling tendency, pressure, temperature, and viscosity. It flows through the shell side, affecting both the tubes and the shell

There might be mistakes; I’ll share my thoughts, and I hope everyone can forgive me. If the oil flows through the tube side, after condensation, the oil temperature drops and its viscosity increases, which makes clogging more likely when it flows through that path. This should also be considered a reason. Last edited by Da Qian Men on 2009-3-28 22:29]

In the absence of special conditions such as corrosion, it is common practice to have the hot medium flow through the shell side and the cold medium flow through the tube side, as this facilitates better cooling of the hot medium. Analyze it in detail under special circumstances.

Because the tube bank is easy to replace, costs are low, and it has no impact on the shell. Substances that are highly corrosive, toxic, tend to cause scaling, or have high viscosity are generally used in the tube side.