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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Experimental and analytical investigation of shell-side flow distribution effects on axial flow heat exchangers

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6034486
Whenever high performance, low pressure drop, compact gas-to-gas heat exchangers are required, such as in some high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) applications, straight tube axial flow heat exchangers should be considered. These heat exchangers satisfy the general performance, geometry, and inspection requirements for such applications. However, because the shell-side coolant must enter and leave the heat exchanger in the radial flow direction, it is possible for flow maldistributions to develop, which can reduce the thermal performance and generate tube-to-tube thermal gradients that could cause thermal stress problems. The results of an investigation of these effects and possible design measures that could be used to reduce or eliminate these problems are reported.
Research Organization:
General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AT03-76ET35301
OSTI ID:
6034486
Report Number(s):
GA-A-16214; CONF-811101-7; ON: DE81027534
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English