Experimental performance comparison of shell-and-tube oil coolers with overlapped helical baffles and segmental baffles

Many research studies have been conducted on the performance of shell and tube heat exchanger with helical baffles because of its lower shell-side pressure drop, lower fouling resistance and lower operation and maintenance cost. But the extension of those studies into practical application is limited because of the additional effects caused by the small-size model. In this paper, the performance of shell-and-tube oil coolers with overlapped helical baffles and segmental baffles is compared experimentally, and both of the oil coolers are practical products. The results show that the OCHB (Oil Cooler with Helical Baffles) gets lower shell side pressure drop and higher heat transfer coefficient per unit pressure drop at fixed volume flow rate than the OCSB (Oil Cooler with Segmental Baffles). Based on the experimental data, it can be predicted that with proper design the OCHB can get better heat transfer performance than OCSB. The present studies are beneficial for the design and practical operation of OCSB and OCHB. •The performance of OCHB and OCSB with practical size is experimentally investigated.•The shell side heat transfer coefficients of the OCHB are lower than that of the OCSB.•The shell-side pressure drop of the OCHB is far lower than that of the OCSB.•The OCHB obtains higher heat transfer coefficient per unit pressure drop.•With proper design OCHB can obtain better heat transfer performance.