Abstract

A numerical method is developed to predict the heat transfer rate in a shell and thermosyphon heat exchanger. Boiling and condensation inside the two-phase thermosyphon are modeled with the thermal resistance network approach, while fluid flow and convection heat transfer outside the two-phase thermosyphon is described by a 3D coupled k - ϵ numerical simulation. Predictions for the overall heat transfer rates and for the thermosyphon, vapor and wall temperatures are compared with analytical models. The numerical simulation is also compared with experimental correlations from literature for forced convection across a tube bundle. The results show good agreement between the numerical and the semi analytical models.