CTB_BAFFLE_LEAK

This function computes the Bell-Delaware leakage correction factor for shell-side flow across tube banks. It accounts for fluid that leaks through shell-to-baffle and tube-to-baffle clearances rather than following ideal crossflow paths.

The correction is determined from leakage and crossflow areas and is typically applied as a multiplicative factor in shell-side thermal-hydraulic models.

Excel Usage

=CTB_BAFFLE_LEAK(Ssb, Stb, Sm, baffle_leak_meth)

Ssb (float, required): Shell to baffle leakage area (m^2).
Stb (float, required): Total baffle leakage area (m^2).
Sm (float, required): Crossflow area (m^2).
baffle_leak_meth (str, optional, default: “spline”): Curve fit method name (-).

Returns (float): Baffle leakage correction factor, or an error message if invalid.

Example 1: Example baffle leakage case

Inputs:

Ssb	Stb	Sm
1	3	8

Excel formula:

=CTB_BAFFLE_LEAK(1, 3, 8)

Expected output:

0.590662

Example 2: HEDH method evaluation

Inputs:

Ssb	Stb	Sm	baffle_leak_meth
1	3	8	HEDH

Excel formula:

=CTB_BAFFLE_LEAK(1, 3, 8, "HEDH")

Expected output:

0.553024

Example 3: Smaller leakage areas

Inputs:

Ssb	Stb	Sm
0.2	0.5	6

Excel formula:

=CTB_BAFFLE_LEAK(0.2, 0.5, 6)

Expected output:

0.805167

Example 4: Larger leakage areas

Inputs:

Ssb	Stb	Sm
2	4	10

Excel formula:

=CTB_BAFFLE_LEAK(2, 4, 10)

Expected output:

0.50575

Python Code

Show Code

from ht.conv_tube_bank import baffle_leakage_Bell as ht_baffle_leakage_Bell

def ctb_baffle_leak(Ssb, Stb, Sm, baffle_leak_meth='spline'):
    """
    Compute Bell-Delaware baffle leakage correction factor.

    See: https://ht.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ht.conv_tube_bank.html

    This example function is provided as-is without any representation of accuracy.

    Args:
        Ssb (float): Shell to baffle leakage area (m^2).
        Stb (float): Total baffle leakage area (m^2).
        Sm (float): Crossflow area (m^2).
        baffle_leak_meth (str, optional): Curve fit method name (-). Valid options: Spline, HEDH. Default is 'spline'.

    Returns:
        float: Baffle leakage correction factor, or an error message if invalid.
    """
    try:
        return ht_baffle_leakage_Bell(
            Ssb=Ssb,
            Stb=Stb,
            Sm=Sm,
            method=baffle_leak_meth,
        )
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

Online Calculator

Ssb *

Shell to baffle leakage area (m^2).

Stb *

Total baffle leakage area (m^2).

Sm *

Crossflow area (m^2).

baffle_leak_meth

Curve fit method name (-).