DOUBLE-SEGMENTAL SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER

摘要

An improved shell and tube heat exchanger for transferring heat energy between two fluids is provided. The heat exchanger design is characterized by doublesegmental baffle geometry in which the tubes within the shell do not pass through the "windows " or passageways defined by the baffles for the flow of the shellside fluid through the shell. The absence of tubes from the shellside fluid flow passageways reduces the nonideal nature of the shellside fluid flow such that the shellside heat transfer coefficient is increased and the required shellside heat transfer surface area is decreased. The heat exchangers of the present invention are particularly suited for acid coolers used in contact sulfuric acid plants which typically have a large heat transfer surface area requirement and a shellside heat transfer coefficient significantly lower than the tubeside heat transfer coefficient. In such applications, the new design may eliminate the need for multiple shells. If necessary, tube support plates can be added to eliminate potential tube vibration without negatively impacting the shellside flow or heat transfer.