PRESSURE VESSEL HEAT EXCHANGER

Abstract

Pressure vessels are essential components in thermal and process industries for storing and transferring fluids under pressure. When combined with heat exchange functionality, they play a crucial role in applications such as power plants, chemical processing, and HVAC systems. This paper presents the design, thermal performance evaluation, and structural analysis of a pressure vessel-type shell and tube heat exchanger. The design is based on ASME Section VIII and TEMA (Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association) standards. Thermal and structural analyses were conducted to determine the system’s temperature distribution, pressure resistance, and safety factor. The results indicate that the designed vessel withstands operating pressures up to 12 bar with a maximum allowable stress of 160 MPa, while maintaining an overall heat transfer coefficient of 315 W/m²·K. The study concludes that proper material selection and geometric optimization enhance both heat transfer efficiency and mechanical reliability.