Research on enhanced heat transfer characteristics in heat exchanger inserted with rotors

Shell and tube heat exchanger is an important process device in high-energy industry. In order to improve heat transfer efficiency and solve the fouling problem, a new type heat exchanger whose tube inserted with plastics rotors was designed in the study. Furthermore, theoretical analysis and experimental validation were performed for the exchanger inserted with 19-100 and 19-400 specification rotors respectively. The results showed that heat exchangers whose tube inserted with 19-400 specification rotors obtained better performance. In addition, it is found that 19-100 specification rotors exist critical velocity. When flow velocity is greater than the critical velocity, the heat exchanger shows better heat transfer performance than the smooth tube. Moreover, the flow rate of heat exchanger whose tube inserted with different rotors was optimized, when the inlet temperature of hot water was constant. These findings provide a basis in understanding of heat exchanger inserted with rotor.