Effects of Maldistribution of Flow on Heat Transfer Equipment Performance

Abstract

Maldistribution of flow in heat exchangers may have dramatic consequences on thermal and mechanical performance. This article summarizes some of the insights and experience discussed during a recent symposium on this subject. The paper concludes that maldistribution of flow should not normally be a problem in single-phase heat exchangers where good engineering practice is pursued. However, two-phase flow heat exchangers still pose a formidable challenge if poor performance resulting from maldistribution of flow is to be avoided.