Hyperbolic axial dispersion model for heat exchangers

Flow maldistribution in heat exchangers for steady-state and transient processes can be described by dispersion models. The traditional parabolic model and the proposed hyperbolic model which includes the parabolic model as a special case can be used for dispersive flux formulation. Instead of using the heuristic approach of parabolic or hyperbolic formulation, these models can be quantitatively derived from the axial temperature profiles of heat exchangers. In this paper both the models are derived for a shell-and-tube heat exchanger with pure maldistribution (without back mixing) in tube side flow and the plug flow on the shell side. The Mach number and the boundary condition which plays a key role in the hyperbolic dispersion have been derived and compared with previous investigation. It is observed that the hyperbolic model is the best suited one as it compares well with the actual calculations. This establishes the hyperbolic model and its boundary conditions.