Validation of modeling scheme implementing MULTID component of MARS-KS code to predict shell-side pressure drop in shell-and-tube type heat exchangers

•Shell-side pressure drop can be predicted using MARS-KS code and MULTID component model.•The present scheme reasonably identifies the effects of the size of the nozzle and the height of the baffle cut on the overall pressure drop.•Modeling of leakage through clearance between shell and segmental baffles improve the prediction of overall pressure drop. A modeling scheme to predict the pressure drop on the shell side of the shell-and-tube type heat exchanger is developed, which is using the system thermal hydraulic code, MARS-KS. In the present scheme, the shell side of the heat exchanger is modeled by the MULTID component in rectangular shape in which, the part blocked by the segmental baffle plate and the opening part by the baffle cut are modeled by separate nodes. The form loss coefficients and its distribution for the junctions of the shell side are estimated by the assumption of the same pressure drop in each cross pass of the shell and then finalized by iterative calculation. To prove the validity of the modeling scheme, calculations are made to simulate the experiments conducted at the test heat exchanger having a size used in the industries. It is discussed whether each effect of the size of inlet/outlet nozzle and the height of the baffle cut on the overall pressure drop of the heat exchanger is properly predicted and consistent with the experimental observations. Also, the effectiveness of consideration of leakage at the clearance between the shell and the segmental baffle plates is discussed in resolving the problem of over-predicted pressure drops in the high flow region. For the simplification, the use of one-dimensional modeling to this problem is attempted. The applicability of the present method and results to the different heat exchangers is also discussed.