SIMULATION OF HEAT EXCHANGER UNDER FOULING CONDITIONS

Abstract

The present investigation pertains to a theoretical study of Computer Aided Simulation of Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger under Milk fouling. Basically, it deals with the development of a model and to study the effect on the heat transfer coefficient, temperature profiles of heat exchanger due to fouling. Further the variation in fouling due to the change in various design variables has been studied. A computer program has been developed to calculate the overall heat transfer coefficient, temperature profiles (before and after fouling) along with the amount of fouling. The mathematical model comprises of three non-linear differential equations (one for fouling model and the other two for temperature profiles) and is solved by R.K.-4th Order and R.K. Fehlberg's method. The results show that longer and smaller diameter tube produces smaller amount of fouling. Type of pitch and thickness of tube wall have smaller effects on the fouling. This is also in agreement with the thumb-rule in the dairy industry that the milk should be heated as gradually as possible.