Thermodynamic evaluation of shell and tube heat exchanger through advanced exergy analysis

Abstract

Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Shell and tube heat exchanger is a pivotal equipment used in industries for heat transfer. Any effort to minimize the irreversibility in the heat exchanger will enhance the performance and leads to energy optimization and cost savings. In the current study, a water to water, segmental baffled shell and tube heat exchanger was considered for an investigation and designed using the Kern method. Exergy analysis and advanced exergy analysis was carried out to understand the performance of the heat exchanger and to determine the possibility of reducing irreversibilities. The results of the exergy analysis showed that the system has 684.6 kW of exergy destruction. Advanced exergy analysis was carried out through endogenous and exogenous modes and subsequently performed for avoidable and unavoidable components. Majority of the exergy destruction in the heat exchanger is avoidable. The results showed that 97.5 % of the total exergy destruction is of endogenous avoidable type. The system can be improved by changing the system configuration, design variables, mass flow rates, materials, and many other parameters. Subsequently, the exergy destruction in the pumps is unavoidable and no further design improvements are required.