초록 ▼

The invention is a shell and tube type heat exchanger that provides a greater heat transfer coefficient to pressure drop ratio. The invention includes a mini-vortex generator on the surface of tubes within the tube bundle in the shell of the heat exchanger. The mini-vortex generator increases the he

The invention is a shell and tube type heat exchanger that provides a greater heat transfer coefficient to pressure drop ratio. The invention includes a mini-vortex generator on the surface of tubes within the tube bundle in the shell of the heat exchanger. The mini-vortex generator increases the heat transfer coefficient for grid baffle type heat exchangers having a longitudinal shell fluid flow without resulting in a significant increase in pressure drop. The invention also includes a sinuous-type grid baffle which permits a greater tube packing density and reduced pressure drop in a heat exchanger having longitudinal shell fluid flow. The invention also encompasses a shell and tube heat exchanger having mini-vortex generators and sinuous baffles.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A heat exchanger comprising:(a) a shell;(b) a tube bundle inside the shell, the tube bundle comprising a plurality of substantially parallel tubes for passage of a first fluid, each tube having a base diameter of between about 0.5″ and about 1″, at least a portion of the tubes havin

1. A heat exchanger comprising:(a) a shell;(b) a tube bundle inside the shell, the tube bundle comprising a plurality of substantially parallel tubes for passage of a first fluid, each tube having a base diameter of between about 0.5″ and about 1″, at least a portion of the tubes having on their exterior surface mini-vortex generators comprising two or more ridge members that encircle at least a portion of the exterior surface of a tube, the height of each ridge member being between about 0.2 mm and about 1.0 mm, the spacing between any two ridge members being between about 2 mm and about 40 mm;(c) a sinuous baffle for supporting the tubes, the sinuous baffle comprising a plurality of wiggle bar tube support members disposed between the tubes;(d) a tube inlet for passage of the first fluid into the tubes and a tube outlet for passage of the first fluid out of the tube;(e) a shell outlet for passage of a second fluid into the shell and exterior of the tubes and a shell outlet for withdrawing a second fluid from the shell, wherein the first and second fluid are passed either countercurrent, co-current, or in multi-pass substantially parallel flow, and when the fluids are at different temperatures, a transfer of heat occurs between the fluids. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the mini-vortex generator comprises at least one ridge member that encircles at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tube. 3. The heat exchanger of claim 2 wherein the ridge members have a flow blocking surface that disrupts the longitudinal flow of the second fluid proximal to the exterior surface of the tubes. 4. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the spacing between any two ridge members is between 2.6 mm and about 13 mm. 5. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein the spacing between any two ridge members is between about 10 times and about 15 times the height of the ridge members.