Using Inserts in Air Gas Coolers

[rahim16]

Hi There,
I am trying to analyze the use of mechanical inserts within the tubes of an Air Cooled Heat exchanger to enhance the internal covective heat transfer.
I know there will be some pressure drop and it needs some economic analysis /justification.
I am wondering if any expert guy in this forum has practically seen or used these inserts & what he experienced?
Appreciated if any body knows any vendor or supplier of such ACHE design.
Thanks in advance.
Rahim

 

[unclesyd]

I think this pdf will get you started.

http://www.wlv.com/products/databook/db3/data/db3ch2.pdf

 

[abeltio]

If you are using Shell & Tube heat exchangers consider as well EMbaffle (TM) technology, an excellent complement to tube inserts.

saludos.
a.

 

[speco]

Rahim,

I haven't done an economic analysis of this. However, I think you will find that it's a complete waste of money. Normally, inserts such as turbulators (retarders, etc) are used with viscous fluids to increase the inside tube heat transfer. However with air or most gases, the inside Reynolds number is already very high, well into the turbulent range.

You may, however, find some benefit in using an insert where the velocity needs to be increased and it can't be done by changing the tube diameter or pass arrangement. I think the term for this type of insert is "acclerator rod", just a simple rod inserted in the tube.

Regards,

Speco (

http://www.stoneprocess.com)