What is tube side and shell side

In heat exchangers, there are two main flow paths known as the tube side and the shell side.

Tube Side:

The tube side refers to the fluid that flows through the tubes inside the heat exchanger.

Tubes are typically small in diameter and can be arranged in various configurations such as straight tubes, U-tubes, or coiled tubes.

The fluid on the tube side is usually contained within the tubes and is separated from the fluid on the shell side by the tube walls.

Advantages of the tube side include ease of cleaning and maintenance, as the tubes can be accessed relatively easily. It also allows for higher pressure applications as the tubes can be designed to withstand greater stresses.

Shell Side:

The shell side is the space surrounding the tubes where another fluid flows.

The shell is usually a larger cylindrical or rectangular chamber.

The fluid on the shell side flows over and around the tubes, exchanging heat with the fluid on the tube side through the tube walls.

The shell side design can offer advantages such as a larger flow area and potentially lower pressure drop compared to the tube side. It is also suitable for handling fluids with lower cleanliness requirements as the shell is less accessible for cleaning.