The Basics of Helically-Baffled Heat Exchangers and Its Applications

August 24, 2021

Helically-baffled heat exchangers is a product that squarely targets shell side usage, for the turbulence cancelling attribute works well inside a scenario where flow fouling is likely. The inclined baffles readily funnel choppy and agitated mediums, so viscous materials are quick to exit the vessel. This feature makes the design particularly adept within a petrochemical installation, a place where partially processed oils exist in a transient state.

How Helically-Baffled Heat Exchangers Operates?

The hot liquid circulates through the enclosed chamber without directly impacting the baffles, which is something that would be much harder to avoid if these structural assets were lined up perpendicular to the vessel's interior void. In fact, standard upright baffles are known to create "dead spots" within the vessel because of such design issues.

Applications For Helically-Baffled Heat Exchangers

We said that the functions of helically-baffled heat exchangers in pressure equipment endowed the heat exchanging process with mathematical clarification because the segmented arrangement isn't a haphazard affair. Indeed, each baffle plate is intelligently incorporated within each quadrant of the vessel, so helical flow is entirely balanced and regulated.

In imbuing heat exchangers with innovative geometrical profiles, vessel design engineers are realising significant thermal transfer gains. That's why we've made the functions of helically-baffled heat exchangers in pressure equipment our headlining topic today, for this ingenious baffled configuration uses a thermal transaction concept that fully leverages shell side performance. The curiously inclined nature of the internal baffles only serves to draw us in to investigate deeper.

Helically-Baffled Heat Exchangers Inclined To Deliver Shell Convection Gains

The shell side of the vessel uses helical baffles to enhance the heat transaction aptitude of the heat exchanger. In essence, it takes advantage of the convection events transpiring within the vessel. Thermal conductivity then pairs efficiently with the turbulent fluid dynamics transpiring here to maximise fluid distribution. An immediate advantage of this configuration is an enhanced thermal coefficient rating. Simultaneously, overall two-phase flow distribution is improved.

Helically-Baffled Heat Exchangers Promotes Optimised Performance

Mathematical clarification rules the functions of helically-baffled heat exchangers in pressure equipment, so expect to see this configuration proliferate as new heat exchanger projects embrace this design. The contemporary perpendicular baffling solution is still certain to be a regular asset in this industrial sector due to its proven installation history and numerous applications, but helical baffling enhances the geometry of this model by delivering a profile that handles convection currents in a more effective manner. The result is lower pressure, an increased convection coefficient, and a far more efficient heat transferral rating within a confined space.

Contact Details

Fusion - Weld Engineering Pty Ltd
ABN 98 068 987619

1865 Frankston Flinders Road,
Hastings, VIC 3915

Ph: (03) 5909 8218

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