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Thermodynamic Analysis
other hand, some processes rely heavily on external utilities even though heat from other streams could potentially be reused. Identifying these imbalances is an important step in optimizing heat exchanger networks. Beyond optimization within a single plant, expanding the system boundary to industrial clusters offers additional potential. Surplus heat can be transferred to neighboring facilities, increasing overall energy efficiency and reducing operating costs before excess heat must be rejected to the environment.
Oil cooler- shell and tube heat exchanger. Image courtesy N-thalpie GmbH.
Thermodynamic and hydraulic considerations A key aspect of this analysis is the evaluation of temperature levels, mass flow rates and heat capacities of the involved process streams. These parameters determine the amount of heat that can be exchanged between different streams and whether the existing equipment operates under aimed temperature driving forces. When temperature differences between fluids are small, heat transfer becomes less efficient and larger heat transfer surfaces are required. On the
Simulation-based analysis Modern numerical simulation tools allow engineers to analyse these interactions in much greater detail than was possible in the past. Computational models can be used to study temperature distributions, flow patterns and pressure behaviour within heat exchangers before physical modifications are implemented. The following example( Figure 1) illustrate how numerical simulation can support the evaluation of heat exchanger performance. By discretising the geometry of the equipment into computational cells, temperature and flow behaviour can be analysed throughout the system. The final example( Figure 2) illustrates the calculated temperature distribution within the heat exchanger. The colour scale indicates temperature levels throughout the system, while the streamlines represent the flow path of the
Figure 1- Numerical mesh model of a vertical heat exchanger used for thermal and hydraulic analysis. Image courtesy N-thalpie GmbH.
Figure 2- Simulated temperature distribution and flow streamlines inside a heat exchanger. Image courtesy N-thalpie GmbH.
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