Working Principales of hiTRAN
hiTRAN wire matrix elements work by constantly mixing fluids from the tube wall into the main bulk flow and vice versa. hiTRAN disturbs the laminar flow layers, characteristic for these flow Reynolds numbers, resulting in significantly higher heat transfer coefficients on the tube side wall which in turn helps reduce the risk of fouling.
Dye Stream injection at Reynolds number of 500, in 22mm diameter tube
The above image displays hiTRAN working by using dye as an experiment. Using hiTRAN in the above example, dye was injected into the flow at the top and at the bottom of a glass tube wall. In situations where the area does not have a dye insert position, the dye stream remained on the tube side wall for the entire length as shown on the above upstream image at point A.
On hitting the first loop within the hiTRAN example, the dye stream is lifted from the wall and gradually pushed into the bulk flow which is also shown above at point B. It is clear from the above image that under laminar and transitional flow conditions, the residence time near the wall is reduced heavily compared to the plain empty tube case.
In order to quantify the effect on fouling applications, the resulting flow behavior and heat transfer when using hiTRAN elements is discussed in detail which allows engineers to gain more information related to the issues surrounding fouling and how hiTRAN can help as being one of the leading fouling mitigation solutions.
