COMPUTER MODELING VALIDATION FOR SHELL-AND-TUBE HEAT-EXCHANGERS

Computer modelling of shell and tube heat exchangers for design and pe rformance evaluation is now an established technique used in industry. Modelling this type of equipment is based on a theoretical concept of the unit and validation of the computer program is provided from test data obtained from a scaled working model of a typical industrial uni t. A description is given of the Shellside Flow Visualisation Rig situ ated at the Harwell Laboratory of AEA Technology near Oxford, England and operated by the Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Services (HTFS). Sing le and double segmental baffled assemblies have been prepared. The exp erimental programme is described, and examples of the results of the i nvestigations which provide a rigorous test of validating the predicti ons of the HTFS computer program TASC3 are reported. Flow visualisatio n techniques are used and video recordings of the shellside flow along and across the shell have been made.