Recent Patents in Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers with Helical Baffles

Helical baffles offer a possible alternative to conventional baffles in shell-and-tube heat exchangers. They have advantages in increasing heat transfer efficiency, maintaining a reasonable pressure drop, anti-fouling and prolonging service time. In order to make best use of these advantages, various inventions are proposed. This paper initially introduces the helical baffled shell-and-tube heat exchangers and has a brief description of some old patents, and then outlines recent patents in this area and finally concludes with future developments expected in the helical baffled heat exchanger.