Shell and tube heat exchanger numerical simulation employing helical baffles and self-support finned combination

To overcome the defect of reduced comprehensive performance caused by the installation of central tube in helical baffle heat exchanger (STHX-HBCT), a novel heat exchanger employing helical baffles and self-support finned tube (STHX-HBST) was proposed in this study. Numerical simulations were conducted to compare the thermal and hydraulic performance of shell and tube heat exchanger with segmental baffle (STHX-SG), STHX-HBCT, the helical baffle heat exchanger (STHX-HB). The results show that STHX-HBST has superior comprehensive performance, efficiency evaluation coefficient, compared to the other three types STHX. The effect of the helix angle of fins on the heat transfer performance and pressure drop of the heat exchanger was analyzed, the best comprehensive performance was achieved when the fin helix angle was 50?. This study provides a new solution for the structural improvement of helical baffle heat exchangers.