Condenser tube side fluid
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I have a question: in a horizontal shell-and-tube heat exchanger, can condensed gas be used in the tube side? I remember that it’s not allowed, but I can’t find any evidence for this. Please help me, experts! It would be great if you could provide the source, thank you!
If the condensing gas flows in the tube side in a horizontal configuration, it is difficult for the cooled liquid to flow out, which affects the heat exchange efficiency. In a vertical setup, it is better for the tube side to handle the condensed gas. In our company’s tubular heat exchangers, steam flows through the tube side, but they are installed vertically.
If you can find precise, scientific, and detailed evidence, please share it with everyone for learning! But based on my years of experience in engineering, why can’t the condensed gas flow through the tube side? Moreover, in most of the condensers I have designed, the gas flows through the tube side, and all parameters such as temperature levels, vaporization rate at the outlet, and pressure drop and energy consumption values meet the requirements of the process. As for whether the horizontal or vertical configuration has much of an impact in this regard, the heat transfer factors mentioned above do not seem to be supported by any theories I have come across at present.
We have equipment that uses a tubular system for gas flow, mainly for the convenience of cleaning, but it seems that the heat exchange efficiency is not particularly good.
Yes, it’s feasible; there are many applications in actual production. In vapor separation units, the condensation-evaporation evaporators that use heat pump systems operate with condensation taking place inside the tubes. In petrochemical plants, in many horizontal bottom reboilers, the heating steam also flows through the tube side; it’s just that the steam drives the condensate along, which results in a higher pressure drop. As for heat transfer efficiency, it seems that horizontal types are better than vertical ones
The condensed gas is condensed into a liquid in the shell side, and bead-shaped liquid droplets tend to form on the outer wall of the tubes, which improves the heat exchange efficiency
It can be tried; if the tube side uses condensed gas, \"Heat Exchanger Master\" does not perform calculations for horizontal equipment!