Numerical investigation on the multi-objective optimization of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger with helical baffles

An improved method combining numerical simulation with multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) was applied to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics of shell-and-tube heat exchanger with helical baffles (STHXsHB). It overcomes the dependence on empirical correlations. The helix angle and overlapped degree of helical baffles were chosen as optimization parameters, while the overall heat transfer coefficient K and pressure drop Delta P of STHXsHB were optimized by MOGA. The results showed that both overall heat transfer coefficient K and pressure drop Delta P varied adversely with the helix angles. The pressure drop Delta P was favorably affected by the overlapped degrees. The overall heat transfer coefficient K did not vary significantly with the overlapped degree. Three optimum configurations were obtained by the MOGA to maximize the overall heat transfer coefficient K and minimize the shell-side pressure drop Delta P. Compared with the original heat exchanger, the overall heat transfer coefficient K increased averagely by 28.3%, while the average pressure drop reduced averagely by 19.37%.