A shell and tube heat exchanger consists of a bundle of tubes inside a cylindrical shell, allowing one fluid to flow inside the tubes and another over them. While it is cheaper and easier to maintain than plate heat exchangers, it is less efficient and requires more space for maintenance. The design allows for thermal expansion and has measures to reduce leakage risks, but it cannot increase cooling capacity as effectively as plate heat exchangers.

1. Shell & tube Heat exchanger

2. • Shell and tube heat exchanger consists of a bundle of round tubes
placed inside the cylindrical shell.
• The tube axis parallels to that of the shell.
• One fluid travels from inside the tubes while the other over the tubes.

3. • Components
• Shell
• Tube bundle
• Front and rear headers of shell
• baffles

4. • A shell and tube heat exchanger consists of a series of tubes housed
within a cylindrical container known as a ‘shell’
• Each tube passes through a series of baffles and tube sheets
• One of the tube sheets is fixed and one is free to move, this allows for
thermal expansion as the heat exchanger is heated.
• The flowing medium within the tubes is known as the ‘tube side’
medium. The flowing medium outside of the tubes is known as the
‘shell side’ medium.

6. • Advantages
• Cheap compared to plate heat exchangers.
• Relatively simple design and easy to maintain.
• Suitable for higher pressures and temperatures compared to plate heat
exchangers.
• Easy to find and isolate leaking tubes.
• Tubes can be 'double walled' to reduce the likelihood of the shell side fluid
leaking into the tube side fluid (or vice versa).
• Do not foul as easily as plate heat exchangers.

7. • Disadvantages
• Less efficient than plate heat exchangers.
• Require more space to open and remove tubes.
• Cooling capacity can not be increased, but a plate heat exchanger's
can be.