Heat Exchanger Engineering Curriculum
Thermal
Module from the Heat Exchanger Engineering Curriculum curriculum.
Module 3 - Thermal Design Methods · Learning Objectives · 1. Apply Kern method for quick shell-side estimation (segmental baffles) · 2. Use Bell-Delaware for more accurate shell-side h and dP with leakages · 3. Compute tube-side h via Sieder-Tate or Dittus-Boelter · 4. Account for baffle cut, spacing, and clearance in dP · 5. Use commercial software (HTRI, Aspen EDR) for detail design · Tube-Side Correlations
| Correlation | Valid Range | h Equation | Use | Accuracy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dittus-Boelter | Re>10000, 0.7<Pr<160, L/D>60 | Nu = 0.023*Re^0.8*Pr^n (n=0.4 heat, 0.3 cool) | Clean turbulent | +/-25% | Quick estimate |
| Sieder-Tate | Re>10000 | Nu = 0.023*Re^0.8*Pr^(1/3)*(mu_b/mu_w)^0.14 | Viscosity correction | +/-20% | Better for oils |
| Colburn j-factor | Turbulent | j = 0.023*Re^(-0.2) | General | +/-20% | Allows analogy |
| Gnielinski | 3000<Re<5E6 | Nu = (f/8)*(Re-1000)*Pr / (1+12.7*(f/8)^0.5 (Pr^(2/3)-1)) | Most accurate | +/-10% | Use friction factor f |
| Laminar (Sieder-Tate) | Re<2100 | Nu = 1.86*(Re*Pr*D/L)^(1/3)*(mu_b/mu_w)^0.14 | Oils | +/-25% | Short tubes |
Source: Heat_Exchanger_Engineering_Curriculum_v1.xlsx · Sheet: Thermal
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