shell-and-tube heat exchanger
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Thermo-Fluid Characterization of Corrugated U-Tube Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger with Polymer Composite Tube Wall: A Combined CFD and Experimental Investigation
Abstract: Shell-and-tube heat exchangers built with metallic tubes work well thermally, but corrosion problems, extra weight, and the inability to adjust the wall’s thermal properties through material choice remain genuine engineering headaches, particularly for corrosive or weight-critical applications. Over the past few years there has been a fair amount of interest in replacing metal tubes with polymer composite alternatives, since blending thermally conductive fillers — graphite nanoplatelets, boron nitride platelets and …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 3, 2026 Read article
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Experimental and CFD Investigation of an Epoxy-Based Thermally Conductive Polymer Composite U-Tube Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger: A Lightweight Alternative to Conventional Metal Systems
Abstract: Shell-and-tube heat exchangers continue to play a critical role in industrial thermal systems; however, their conventional design based on fully metallic materials often leads to challenges related to weight, corrosion, and cost. In recent years, thermally conductive polymer composites have emerged as promising alternatives, offering improved corrosion resistance and design flexibility. In this study, the thermo-hydraulic performance of a U-tube shell-and-tube heat exchanger is investigated by partially replacing conventional metallic …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 685–700 Read article
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Thermo-Hydraulic Enhancement of Annular Finned Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers Using Epoxy-Based Polymer Composites: A Material–Geometry Coupled CFD Investigation
Abstract: Shell-and-tube heat exchangers remain a backbone of industrial thermal systems, yet their performance is often limited by relatively low shell-side heat transfer and the weight and cost associated with conventional metallic components. In this context, the integration of polymer composite materials offers a promising pathway toward lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and performance-tunable heat exchanger designs. The present study investigates the thermo-hydraulic performance of a straight-tube shell-and-tube heat exchanger equipped with annular fins, …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 669–684 Read article
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Corrugated Tube Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger Using Epoxy-Based Polymer Composite Coatings for Lightweight and Efficient Thermal Systems
Abstract: Corrugated tube geometries are widely recognized for their ability to enhance heat transfer through boundary layer disruption and secondary flow generation. In this study, a combined experimental and computational investigation is carried out to evaluate the thermo-hydraulic performance of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger incorporating corrugated stainless steel tubes integrated with an epoxy-based polymer composite coating and housed within a mild steel shell. Unlike conventional metallic systems, the present work introduces …
Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 603–617 Read article