Optimization of a small size shell and tube heat exchanger using response surface methodology

In this paper, optimization of a small size water-water shell and tube heat exchanger has been performed after a series of numerical calculations. Firstly, a mathematical model was defined, consisting of computational domain, conservation equations and boundary conditions. The problem was considered as steady-state, laminar and incompressible. Numerical method was the finite volume method, SIMPLE algorithm was used for pressure-velocity coupling and ANSYS Fluent was used as numerical solver. The numerical procedure was previously validated using experimental data. In order to perform optimization, a number of numerical calculations hasbeen performed for three different parameters ; tube diameter, shell diameter and shell-side inlet velocity. Specified objective functions were maximum heat flux, minimum mass and combined function of maximum heat flux with minimum mass. Using response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design, optimal values of parameters can be visually determined from plotted 3D surface plots.