Most of the literature on shell and tube heat exchangers presenting the heat transfer coefficient correlations does not specify if there are any differences when dealing with vertical and horizontal orientations. Would the differences be only in terms of the shell-side fluid velocity ( and consequently Re) but the correlations would remain the same? How do these differences in orientation play out in the design?
Certainly, there is a difference.
I think for the same heat transfer area (same length and diameter with the same design), the difference in the effect of gravity on the tall heat exchanger.
The vertical one needs more power to circulate the two fluids. An example is your body when standing vertical and sleeping horizontal
pressure drop is too high for vertical one and pumping power is larger than horizontal one
When heat exchangers are horizontal, the flow is unaffected by gravity and flows only due to pressure difference. In vertical or inclined flow, gravity is an acting party and thus, flow is comparatively faster. This gives comparatively greater amount of time for heat exchange which gives better results.
Hello and Welcome
The following link is useful
https://www.theengineeringconcepts.com/difference-between-vertical-and-horizontal-shell-and-tube-heat-exchanger/
Gamal B. Abdelaziz when the fluid flow is faster, contact time is lesser. So how can you say a greater amount of time for heat exchange is obtained in vertical exchangers? Kindly explain.
The probability of corrosion occurrence is higher in horizontal heat exchanger than vertical one and Horizontal HX needs more maintenance
Additional details and the main differences between vertical and horizontal HX can be found in the link
https://www.theengineeringconcepts.com/difference-between-vertical-and-horizontal-shell-and-tube-heat-exchanger/
A vertical shell and tube heat exchanger in which the tubes extend through oversized holes in a liquid distribution plate. Liquid flows through the holes and down each tube exterior surface as a falling film. More details here:
https://coolingtowerindia.com/vertical-shell-and-tube-heat-exchanger/
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