716 C H A P T E R 14 Heat-Transfer Equipment—Design and Costs

Excerpted from Chapter 14 "Heat-Transfer Equipment - Design and Costs"

EXAMPLE 14-6 Estimation of Heat-Transfer Coefficient and Pressure Drop on

the Shell Side of a Shell-and-Tube Exchanger Using the Kern,
Bell-Delaware, and Wills-Johnston Methods
A shell-and-tube exchanger with one shell and one tube pass is being used as a cooler. The cooling
medium is water with a flow rate of 11 kg/s on the shell side of the exchanger. With an inside diam-
eter of 0.584 m, the shell is packed with a total of 384 tubes in a staggered (triangular) array. The out-
side diameter of the tubes is 0.019 m with a clearance between tubes of 0.00635 m. Segmental baffles
with a 25 percent baffle cut are used on the shell side, and the baffle spacing is set at 0.1524 m. The
length of the exchanger is 3.66 m. (Assume a split backing ring, floating heat exchanger.)
The average temperature of the water is 30◦ C, and the average temperature of the tube walls on
the water side is 40◦ C. Under these conditions, estimate the heat-transfer coefficient for the water and
the pressure drop on the shell side, using the Kern, Bell-Delaware, and Wills and Johnston methods.
 Design of Key Heat Exchanger Types 717

■ Solution
The procedures for all three methods have been outlined briefly in the shell-and-tube section.
Appendix D provides the following data for water:

30◦ C 35◦ C 40◦ C

Physical property data
Thermal conductivity k, kJ/s·m·K 0.000616 0.000623 0.000632
Heat capacity C p , kJ/kg·K 4.179 4.179 4.179
Viscosity µ, Pa·s 0.000803 0.000724 0.000657
Density ρ, kg/m3 995 995 995
Exchanger configuration
Shell internal diameter Ds = 0.584 m
Tube outside diameter Do = 0.019 m
Tube pitch (triangular) PT = 0.0254 m
Number of tubes NT = 384
Baffle spacing LB = 0.1524 m
Shell length Ls = 3.66 m
Bundle-to-shell diametral clearance† b = 0.035 m
Shell-to-baffle diametral clearance† sb = 0.005 m
Tube-to-baffle diametral clearance† t b = 0.0008 m
Thickness of baffle† tb = 0.005 m
Sealing strips per cross-flow row† Nss /Nc = 0.2
†
Items consistent with recommendations by J. Taborek, in Heat Exchanger Design Handbook, Hemisphere
Publishing, Washington, 1983, Sec. 3.3.5.

Kern Method
Determine the flow area at the shell centerline. The gap between tubes PD is given as 0.00635 m. The
cross-flow area along the centerline of flow in the shell is given by Eq. (14-32).
Ds PD L B 0.584(0.00635)(0.1524)
Ss = = = 0.02225 m2
PT 0.0254
Determine De from Eq. (14-33).

4 PT2 − π Do2 /4 4[(0.0254)2 − (π/4)(0.019)2 ]
De = = = 0.02423 m
π Do π(0.019)

The mass flow rate G s is

ṁ T 11
Gs = = = 494.4 kg/m2 ·s
Ss 0.02225

To obtain the heat-transfer coefficient at an average water-film temperature requires evaluation of the
Reynolds and Prandtl numbers.
De G s 0.02423(494.4)
Re = = = 16,550
µf 0.000724

 
Cp µ 4.179(0.000724)
Pr = = = 4.86
k f 0.000623
718 C H A P T E R 14 Heat-Transfer Equipment—Design and Costs

From Eq. (14-30)

   0.14
k µ
h s = 0.36 Re0.55 Pr0.33
De µw
   
0.623 0.000803 0.14
= 0.36 (16,550) (4.86)
0.55 0.33
0.02423 0.000657
= 3369 W/m2 ·K

Calculate the pressure drop on the shell side, assuming no effect for any type of fluid leakage. The
number of baffles on the shell side is obtained from Eq. (14-36).
Ls 3.66
NB = −1= − 1 = 22.2 or 22
L B + tb 0.1524 + 0.005
For a shell-side Reynolds number of 16,550, Fig. 14-44 provides a value of 0.062 for the friction fac-
tor. The pressure drop is obtained from Eq. (14-35) as
4G 2s Ds (N B + 1)
ps =
2ρ De (µ/µw )0.14
s

4(0.062)(494.4)2 (0.584)(22 + 1)
= = 16,420 Pa
2(995)(0.02423)(0.000803/0.000657)0.14

Bell-Delaware Method
The first step in this method is to calculate the ideal cross-flow heat-transfer coefficient. Calculate
Vmax from Eq. (14-39) and obtain Sm from Eq. (14-40) to substitute into Eq. (14-22).
 
(D OTL − Do )(PT − Do )
Sm = L B Ds − D OTL + where D OTL = Ds − b = 0.549
PT
 
(0.549 − 0.019)(0.0254 − 0.019)
= 0.1524 0.035 + = 0.0255 m2
0.0254
ṁ T 11
Vmax = = = 0.4335 m/s
ρ Sm 995(0.0255)
ρVmax Do 995(0.4335)(0.019)
Re = = = 10,205
µ 0.000803
Cp µ 4.179(0.000803)
Pr = = = 5.449
k 0.000616
The ideal heat-transfer coefficient is given by
k
hi = a Rem Pr0.34 F1 F2
Do
where constants a and m are obtained from Table 14-1 for a staggered tube array, F1 from
Eq. (14-22b), and F2 from Table 14-2.
   
0.616 5.449 0.26
hi = (0.273)(10,205)0.635
(5.449)0.34
(0.99)
0.019 4.345
= 5807 W/m2 ·K
 Design of Key Heat Exchanger Types 719

The actual shell-side heat-transfer coefficient is obtained from Eq. (14-41). This requires obtaining
values for JC , JL , and J B using the appropriate correction factors to account for baffle configuration,
leakage, and bypass. Equation (14-42) permits calculation of Fc
  
1 2(Ds − 2L c ) −1 Ds − 2L c −1 Ds − 2L c
Fc = π+ sin cos − 2 cos
π D OTL D OTL D OTL

For a baffle cut of 25 percent

L c = 0.25Ds = 0.25(0.584) = 0.146 m

Ds − 2L c 0.584 − 2(0.146)
= = 0.5318
D OTL 0.549
1
Fc = [π + 2(0.5318) sin(cos−1 0.5318) − 2 cos−1 0.5318] = 0.6437
π
From Fig. 14-45
JC = 0.55 + 0.72Fc = 0.55 + 0.72(0.6437) = 1.013

To obtain JL , calculate the leakage areas Ssb and St b from Eqs. (14-43a) and (14-43b), respectively.
   
sb −1 2L c
Ssb = Ds π − cos 1−
2 Ds
   
0.005 2(0.146)
= (0.584) π − cos−1 1 − = 0.003058 m2
2 0.584
 
t b 1 + Fc
St b = πDo NT
2 2
   
0.0008 1 + 0.6437
= π(0.019) (384) = 0.007535 m2
2 2

The correction factor JL is obtained from Fig. 14-46, utilizing Ssb and St b .

Ssb + St b 0.003058 + 0.007535

= = 0.4154
Sm 0.0255
Ssb 0.003058
= = 0.2887
Ssb + St b 0.003058 + 0.007535

Figure 14-46 provides a value of 0.56 for JL .

To obtain the correction factor J B for bypass in the bundle-shell gap, obtain Fbp , the fraction of
the cross-flow area available for bypass flow, with Eq. (14-44).

LB 0.1524
Fbp = (Ds − D OTL ) = (0.035) = 0.2092
Sm 0.0255

Note that Fbp = Sb /Sm , and Fig. 14-47 can be used to obtain a J B value of 0.935 when Nss /Nc = 0.2.
The corrected heat-transfer coefficient from Eq. (14-41) is then
h = h i Jc JL J B
= 5807(1.013)(0.56)(0.935) = 3080 W/m2 ·K
720 C H A P T E R 14 Heat-Transfer Equipment—Design and Costs

Evaluation of the pressure drop using the Bell-Delaware method is similar to the process for obtain-
ing the heat-transfer coefficient. The ideal cross-flow pressure drop through one baffle space is
obtained with the use of Eq. (14-46).
 
ρVmax
2
pc = (K a + Nc K f ) assume K a = 1.5
2
 
Ds 2L c
Nc = 1− PT P = 0.866PT , for triangular array
PT P Ds
 
0.584 2(0.146)
= 1− = 13.27
0.866(0.0254) 0.584

A value of 0.495 for K f is obtained by using the following relation given in the footnote of
Table 14-10:

0.339 × 104 0.984 × 107 0.133 × 1011 0.599 × 1013

K f = 0.245 + − 2
+ 3
−
Re Re Re Re4
(0.4335)2
pc = [1.5 + 13.27(0.495)](995) = 754 Pa
2
Calculate the window zone pressure loss from Eq. (14-47b). First, determine the window flow area
Sw from Eq. (14-49).
Ds2
−1  1/2  NT
Sw = cos D B − D B 1 − D 2B − (1 − Fc )π Do2
4 8
where
Ds − 2L c 2L c 2(0.146)
DB = =1− =1− = 0.5
Ds Ds 0.584
 
(0.584)2 384
Sw = {cos−1 0.5 − 0.5[1 − (0.5)2 ]1/2 } − (1 − 0.6437)π(0.019)2
4 8
= 0.03298 m2

Next, calculate the number of effective cross-flow rows in the window zone from Eq. (14-48).
0.8L c 0.8(0.146)
Ncw = = = 5.31
PT P 0.866(0.0254)
Now calculate the window zone pressure drop for Re > 100.

(2 + 0.6Ncw )ṁ 2T
pw =
2Sm Sw ρ
(11)2
= [2 + 0.6(5.31)] = 375 Pa
2(0.0255)(0.03298)(995)

Finally, estimate the leakage and bypass correction factors R B and R L . To obtain R B , use the calcu-
lated values of Fbp and Nss /Nc = 0.2 with Fig. 14-48. This gives a value of 0.82 for R B . For R L use
the area ratio values of (Ssb + St b )/Sm and Ssb /(Ssb + St b ) with Fig. 14-49 to obtain a value of 0.365
for R L .
 Design of Key Heat Exchanger Types 721

The pressure drop across the shell is given by Eq. (14-51).

 
Ncw
ps = [(N B − 1) pc R B + N B pw ]R L + 2 pc R B 1 +
Nc
 
5.31
= [(22 − 1)(754)(0.82) + 22(375)](0.365) + 2(754)(0.82) 1 +
13.27
= 7750 + 1731 = 9481 Pa

Wills and Johnston Method

The heat-transfer coefficient calculated in this method is similar to that used in the Bell-Delaware
method except that the value of the Reynolds number is estimated from ṁ c = Fcr ṁ T . To determine
Fcr requires evaluating the flow stream resistance coefficients in Fig. 14-50 as defined in Eqs. (14-55a)
through (14-55c), (14-56), (14-58), (14-60), and (14-61).
Calculate the shell-to-baffle resistance coefficient n s , using Eqs. (14-56) and (14-57).
     
sb sb 0.005 0.005
Ss = π Ds − = π 0.584 − = 0.004567 m2
2 2 2 2

0.036(2tb /sb ) + 2.3(2tb /sb )−0.177

ns =
2ρ Ss2

0.036(2)(0.005)/0.005 + 2.3[2(0.005)/0.005]−0.177
=
2(995)(0.004567)2
= 50.75

Calculate the tube-to-baffle clearance resistance coefficient n t from Eqs. (14-58) and (14-59).
  
t b t b
St = NT π Do +
2 2
= 384π(0.019 + 0.0004)(0.0004) = 0.00936 m2
0.036(2tb /t b ) + 2.3(2tb /t b )−0.177
nt =
2ρ St2
0.036(2)(0.005/0.0008) + 2.3[2(0.005/0.0008)]−0.177
=
2(995)(0.00936)2
= 11.02

Calculate the window flow resistance coefficient n w from Eq. (14-60).

1.9e0.6856 Sw /Sm
nw =
2ρ Sw2

where Sm = 0.0255 m2 and Sw = 0.03298 m2 from the Bell-Delaware calculations.

1.9 exp[0.6856(0.03298/0.0255)]
nw = = 2.13
2(995)(0.03298)2
722 C H A P T E R 14 Heat-Transfer Equipment—Design and Costs

The bypass flow resistance coefficient n b is calculated from Eqs. (14-61) and (14-62).

Sb = (b +  pp )L B assume  pp ∼
=0
= (0.035 + 0)(0.1524) = 0.00533 m2
Nss
Nss = Nc = 13.27(0.2) = 2.65 ∼
=3
Nc
a(Ds − 2L c )/PT P + Nss
nb =
2ρ Sb2

Since Nc = (Ds /PT P )(1 − 2L c /Ds ), this can be rearranged and simplified to

a Nc + Nss
nb = where a = 0.133 for triangular arrays
2ρ Sb2
0.133(13.27) + 3
= = 84.2
2(995)(0.00533)2

For a first approximation assume that the fraction Fcr of the flow that is in cross-flow over the bundle
is 0.5 to initiate a calculation for the flow resistance coefficient n c . For an Fcr of 0.5

Do ṁ T Fcr
Re =
Sm µ

0.019(11)(0.5)
= = 5103
0.0255(0.000803)

The flow resistance coefficient n c is evaluated by using Eq. (14-64) where K f is obtained from the
relation given in Table 14-10 for a triangular tube array with 103 < Re < 106 .

0.339 × 104 0.984 × 107 0.133 × 1011 0.599 × 1013

K f = 0.245 + − 2
+ 3
−
Re Re Re Re4
K f (Re = 5103) = 0.6227

Calculate n c , n cb , n a , and n p to determine a new value for Fcr .

K a + Nc K f
nc = assume K a = 1.5
2ρ Sm2
1.5 + 13.27(0.6227)
= = 7.55
2(995)(0.0255)2
 −2
−1/2
n cb = n −1/2
c + nb
= (7.55−1/2 + 84.2−1/2 )−2 = 4.47
n a = n w + n cb = 2.13 + 4.47 = 6.60
 −2
−1/2
n p = n a−1/2 + n −1/2
s + nt
= [(6.60)−1/2 + (50.75)−1/2 + (11.02)−1/2 ]−2 = 1.47
 Design of Key Heat Exchanger Types 723

Now calculate a new Fcr with Eq. (14-65).

(n p /n a )1/2
Fcr =
1 + (n c /n b )1/2
(1.47/6.60)1/2
= = 0.363
1 + (7.55/84.2)1/2

Repeat the above calculations beginning with the Reynolds number evaluation to determine a new
value for Fcr until a convergence value for Fcr is obtained. The iteration results are shown below.

Iteration attempts
1 2 3 4
Fcr (initial) 0.50 0.363 0.355 0.354
Re 5103 3705 3618 3614
Kf 0.6227 0.6729 0.676 0.676
nc 7.55 8.06 8.09 8.09
n cb 4.47 4.70 4.72 4.72
na 6.60 6.83 6.85 6.85
np 1.47 1.47 1.474 1.474
Fcr (calc.) 0.363 0.355 0.354 0.354

The iteration establishes Fcr at a value of 0.354 and fixes the Reynolds number for this calculation of
the heat-transfer coefficient from Eq. (14-22) with constants a and m listed in Table 14-1, and F1 and
F2 obtained from Eq. (14-22a) and Table 14-2, respectively.

k
h= aRem Pr0.34 F1 F2
Do
 0.26
0.616 5.449
= (0.273)(3614)0.635 (5.449)0.34 (0.99)
0.019 4.345
= 3004 W/m2 ·K

For the pressure drop calculation determine the various flow fractions.
Equation (14-66) for shell-to-baffle leakage flow:
 1/2  
np 1.474 1/2
Fs = = = 0.1704
nt 50.75

Equation (14-67) for tube-to-baffle leakage:

 1/2  
np 1.474 1/2
Ft = = = 0.3657
nt 11.02

Equation (14-68) for bypass flow:

(n p /n a )1/2
Fb =
1 + (n b /n c )1/2
(1.474/6.85)1/2
= = 0.1098
1 + (84.2/8.09)1/2
724 C H A P T E R 14 Heat-Transfer Equipment—Design and Costs

Check on the flow fractions that should equal unity.

Fs + Ft + Fb + Fcr ≡ 1.000
0.1704 + 0.3657 + 0.1098 + 0.3540 = 0.9999 good check
Calculate the total pressure drop per baffle on the shell side, using Eq. (14-54b).
p = n p ṁ 2T = (1.474)(11)2 = 178.4 Pa
The total shell-side pressure drop is given by
ps = (N + 1)p = (22 + 1)(178.4) = 4103 Pa
A comparison of the results for the shell-side heat-transfer coefficient and shell-side pressure drop
from the three methods as well as from a widely used computer program is shown below:

Method h, W/m2·K
p, Pa

Kern 3,369 16,420
Bell-Delaware 3,080 9,481
Wills-Johnston 3,004 4,103
Computer (CC-Therm) 3,035 4,155

Note that the Kern method provides higher values for the heat-transfer coefficient and pressure drop
on the shell side. The Bell-Delaware and Wills-Johnston methods provide similar results for the heat-
transfer coefficient.