Shell-and-tube heat exchangers, also known as tube bundle heat exchangers, are a type of interfacial heat exchanger where the wall surface of the tube bundle enclosed within the shell serves as the heat transfer surface. They are characterized by simple structure, low cost, wide flow cross-section, and ease of cleaning scale; however, they have a low heat transfer coefficient and occupy a large area. They can be manufactured from various structural materials, primarily metals, and are suitable for use under high temperature and pressure conditions, making them a widely used type.
Shell-and-tube heat exchangers include fixed tube plate steam-water heat exchangers, expandable shell steam-water heat exchangers, floating head steam-water heat exchangers, U-tube shell steam-water heat exchangers, bellows type shell steam-water heat exchangers, and sectioned water-water heat exchangers. The main control parameters of shell-and-tube heat exchangers are heating surface area, hot water flow rate, heat exchange rate, and heat medium parameters.