International Science Community Association Research Journal of Engineering Sciences 2278 - 9472 3 7 2014 July 26 Design of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Tools 8 16 EN Ngunzi V.K. 1 Department of Engineering and Technology, Kisii University, Kisii, KENYA Mugucia S.W. 2 Department of Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, KENYA Kituu G.M. 3 Arjun K.S. 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Manav Bharti University, Solan, INDIA Gopu K.B. 2 > Research Paper 2014 4 29 2014 July 26 When the helix angle was varied from 0 to 20 for the heat exchanger containing 7 tubes of outer diameter 20 mm and a 600 mm long shell of inner diameter 90 mm, the simulation shows how the pressure vary in shell due to different helix angle and flow rate. The heat transfer coefficient when recorded showed a very high value when the pressure inside the heat exchanger registered a decline value and this incremental hike was found to be highly significant in the present study. This might be due to the rotational and helical nature of flow pattern following the geometry change by the introduction of continuous helical baffles in the shell side of the heat exchanger. The simulation results obtained with Computational fluid dynamics tools for the baffle cut given to the modified heat exchanger are utilized for the calculation of various parameters like the pressure decline, desired baffle inclination angle and mass flow rate, outlet temperature at the shell side and recirculation at baffle side for the particular geometry of the heat exchanger. Small corners at variable angles of the liquid flow are the result of introduction of segmental baffles which improves heat transfer and huge decline in pressure thus increasing the fouling resistance. This recorded an effective heat transfer hike by the impact of helical baffle. The most desirable heat transfer coefficient of the highest order and pressure decline of the lowest order are the result generated in heat exchanger. Thus, the present study conclusively improved the performance of the heat exchanger by the use of helical baffle in place of segmental baffle from the numerical experimentation results. Copyright@ International Science Community Association