Numerical simulation and structure optimization of spiral wound heat exchanger with novel spacing bars

Abstract Spiral wound heat exchangers are widely used in industrial production for their advantages, such as large heat transfer areas and compact structures. However, their compact design also poses significant difficulties for numerical simulation and experimental research. The spacing bar between tube bundles has an essential impact on the performance of wound tube heat exchangers. This paper presents a new type of spacing bar vertically installed on the core barrel of the spiral wound heat exchanger to enhance the comprehensive heat transfer performance. A numerical model of a new type of wrapped tube heat exchanger has been constructed, which agrees with experimental results. Under the same working conditions, the comprehensive heat transfer performance on the shell side of the spiral wound heat exchanger with new spacing bars is increased by 7.4%–10.5% compared with the traditional structure. On this basis, the influence of the new spacing bar's structural parameters on the heat exchanger's performance was studied, and the empirical correlation between the structural parameters and operating conditions of the new spacing bar and the performance of the heat exchanger was fitted. The research results have guiding significance for the design of spiral wound heat exchangers.