Application of response surface optimization technology and fluid-structure interaction in the engineering design of torsional flow heat exchangers

Shell and tube heat exchanger is an important part of industrial heating and cooling system. Because of the harsh operating conditions, and its complex fin and baffle structure with numerous holes, it is a great challenge for engineers to design and evaluate the baffle structure on the premise of ensuring the comprehensive performance. This paper aims to provide a method to optimize the baffle structure of torsional flow heat exchanger by comprehensively considering thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical properties. Based on fluid-structure interaction method, response surface methodology was applied to improve the structure configurations of torsional flow heat exchanger. The results show that the effects of various input parameters on objectives are related to each other, and the baffle width and inclination angle have a more obvious impact on heat exchanger. The tradeoff analysis is carried out for the optimization objectives, the candidate points obtained by optimization reveal that the fluid comprehensive performance of the optimal structure is increased by 10.99%, and the maximum equivalent stress is reduced by 8.74%. The research results offer theoretical guidance for the equipment maintenance and structural design of torsional flow heat exchanger.