The present invention provides a single shell-pass shell-and-tube heat
exchanger with helical baffles, where within a single pitch, the helical
baffles are separated into inner and outer parts along the radial
direction of the shell. In the central portion of the inner space of the
shell, an inner non-continuous helical form is employed; in other portion
outside the central portion, doughnut shaped helical baffles with
continuous curved surfaces are arranged to form an outer continuous
helical baffle, and the outer helical baffles are arranged to surround
the inner helical baffles. Furthermore, the present invention relates to
a multiple shell-pass shell-and-tube heat exchanger with helical baffles,
in which complete continuous helical baffles are provided in shell-sides
other than the inner shell-pass, while non-continuous helical baffles or
other flow guide means are employed in the inner shell-pass. The present
invention makes flow patterns of fluids on the shell side more desirable,
leading to a reduced flow pressure drop, and mitigate fouling, thus the
heat transfer rate is improved and the service life of the heat exchanger
is increased. The present invention also provides two methods for
manufacture of continuous helical baffles, which ensure the concentricity
of the tube bundle holes on each continuous helical baffle so as to
facilitate installation of heat exchange tube bundles.