Heat Transfer Research, Inc. (HTRI) is an exclusive contributor to ChemicalProcessing.com. Its contributions can be accessed via www.chemicalprocessing.com or via our monthly newsletters.
Heat Transfer Research, Inc. (HTRI) was founded in 1962. Today its industrial research and development consortium serves the engineering needs of nearly 600 companies in more than 45 countries.
HTRI conducts application-oriented research on pilot-scale equipment at its research facility. HTRI staff use this proprietary research data to develop methods and software for the thermal design and analysis of heat exchangers and fired heaters. In addition to research data and software, we provide technical support and offer training, consulting, and contract services to both members and non-member companies..
Its exclusive contributions are listed below:
Reviewing the use of fouling factors in heat exchanger design
HTRI plans to review and analyze specific exchanger services to develop design margins for use in sizing heat exchangers—rather than relying on fouling factors.
Effect of noncondensable gases on flow boiling
The presence of noncondensable gases in boiling fluids is not uncommon and sometimes can benefit the performance of the process.
Design methods for reflux condensers
Reflux condensers have become increasingly important to eliminate condensable organic components from plant off-gas streams and meet environmental requirements. Recognizing this need, HTRI conducted an experimental and analytical study in the late 90s to predict flooding, as well as heat transfer and pressure drop in vertical intube reflux condensers.
The synergy of simulation, experimentation, and technical support activities in a research consortium
For the business of designing process heat exchangers, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools are still not practical for everyday use. However, in a research consortium such as HTRI, integrating advanced analysis tools like CFD with industrial-sized experimentation and then applying them to real-world technical problems provides a significant synergistic benefit to the consortium members.
Pressure drop in bends may significantly affect prediction of overall thermal and hydraulic performance
The presence of bends and properly predicting pressure drop through them can have a significant impact on accurately estimating the thermal and hydraulic performance of the overall unit.
New data supports development of spiral plate heat exchanger software
HTRI has conducted extensive testing on a spiral-spiral single-phase flow unit for a wide range of Reynolds (6.5 to 74,000) and Prandtl (3.8 to 2260) numbers. These data were used to evaluate open literature and HTRI methods.
Using a non-traditional approach to account for crude oil fouling in heat exchangers
Heat exchanger design has usually accounted for fouling by adding extra resistances, or fouling factors, to the overall heat transfer coefficient.
Process simulators can access rigorous heat exchanger calculations through CAPE-OPEN interface standard
Process simulators are vital to designing, maintaining, and operating today’s refining, petrochemical, and chemical processing facilities.
Effective simulation requires a broader scope of process heat transfer measurements
Accurate measurements under controlled conditions form the cornerstone of the development of methods for the successful design of heat transfer equipment.
This page is updated with new contributions from HTRI regularly. You can find out more information about HTRI at www.htri.net.
