CHAPTER 1

          1.0                   INTRODUCTION

Heat Exchangers are specialized devices that assist in the transfer of heat from one fluid to the other. In some cases, a solid wall may separate the fluids and prevent them from mixing. In other designs, the fluids may be in direct contact with each other. In the most efficient heat exchangers the surface area of the wall between the fluids is maximized while simultaneously mixing the fluid flow resistance. Fins or corrugation are sometimes used with the wall in order to increase the surface area and to induce turbulence. There are three primary flow arrangements with heat exchangers: Counter-flow, Parallel flow and Cross flow.

The most common type of heat exchangers used in the process, petroleum, chemical and HVAC industries intended for heating process fluids is Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers. Shell and tube heat exchangers are used when a process requires large amounts of fluids to be heated or cooled. Due to their design, they offer a large heat transfer area and provide high heat transfer efficiency. They consist of tubes and shells. The tubes act as the flow channels for one of the fluids in the heat exchanger, these exchangers are often parallel in order to provide a large surface area for the heat transfer. The shell on the other hand holds the tube bundle and acts as the conduit for the fluid. The shell assembly houses the shell side connections and is the actual structure in to which the tube bundle is placed. 

Shell and tube heat exchangers are used in applications where the pressure and temperature demands are high. They serve a wide range of applications in compressor system, hydraulic system, stationary engines, pain systems, air dryers, lube oil consoles and several marine applications.

1. 1. This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research work
2. 2. As a source for additional understanding of the subject.
3. 3. As a source for ideas for your own research work (if properly referenced).
4. 4. For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase)
5. 5. Direct citing (if referenced properly)
Thank you so much for your respect to the authors copyright.