Thermal Design of Shell/Tube Exchangers:Aspen Hetran Vaporizers: Theory and Type

Vaporizers
Theory and Types

Thermal Design of Shell and Tube Exchangers:

Aspen Hetran

© 2002 AspenTech. All rights reserved.

Vapor Generation Bubble growth from cavity

Surface

Cavity in surface

• Vapor growth takes place from preexisting vapor or inert gases i n the small cavities
• Boiling occurs from reentrant cavities on the surface. A reentrant cavity has a small
opening, which allows an interface to be retained even if there is no preexisting
vapor or inert gas. Such surfaces are basis for enhanced boilin g surfaces
• Boiling can occur from cavities that are activated during boilin g from adjacent
cavities. Bubble growth on the surface fills adjacent cavities with vapor, some of
which retained after the bubble departs

© 2002 AspenTech. All rights reserved.

© 2002 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved. 5–1 Aspen Technology, Inc.

Thermal Design of Shell/Tube Exchangers:Aspen Hetran Vaporizers: Theory and Type

Nucleate and Film Boiling

Heating Bubbles grow
but do not detach

Bubbles Bubbles so
increase, numerous they
detach coalesce
and condense to form continuous
in liquid vapor layer

• The process in which vapor generation occurs by nucleation at the

surface is known as nucleate boiling
• Ultimately the bubbles become so numerous that they coalesce to
form a continuous vapor layer on the surface. The heat transfer
coefficient decreases and the tubes may become very hot. This is
film boiling
© 2002 AspenTech. All rights reserved.

© 2002 AspenTech. All Rights Reserved. 5–2 Aspen Technology, Inc.