CTB_LAMINAR_CORR

This function computes the Bell-Delaware laminar correction factor for shell-side heat transfer in tube-bank exchangers. It captures the adverse temperature-gradient effect that can reduce performance in low-Reynolds-number flow.

The correction transitions with Reynolds number and row-pass count, and approaches unity in higher-Re regimes.

Excel Usage

=CTB_LAMINAR_CORR(Re, total_row_passes)

Re (float, required): Shell-side Reynolds number (-).
total_row_passes (int, required): Total number of tube row passes (-).

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

Example 1: Laminar correction at low Reynolds number

Inputs:

Re	total_row_passes
30	80

Excel formula:

=CTB_LAMINAR_CORR(30, 80)

Expected output:

0.7268

Example 2: Transition Reynolds number case

Inputs:

Re	total_row_passes
80	40

Excel formula:

=CTB_LAMINAR_CORR(80, 40)

Expected output:

0.944791

Example 3: High Reynolds number case

Inputs:

Re	total_row_passes
150	60

Excel formula:

=CTB_LAMINAR_CORR(150, 60)

Expected output:

1

Example 4: Few tube rows case

Inputs:

Re	total_row_passes
50	10

Excel formula:

=CTB_LAMINAR_CORR(50, 10)

Expected output:

1

Python Code

Show Code

from ht.conv_tube_bank import laminar_correction_Bell as ht_laminar_correction_Bell

def ctb_laminar_corr(Re, total_row_passes):
    """
    Compute Bell-Delaware laminar flow 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:
        Re (float): Shell-side Reynolds number (-).
        total_row_passes (int): Total number of tube row passes (-).

    Returns:
        float: Laminar correction factor, or an error message if invalid.
    """
    try:
        return ht_laminar_correction_Bell(
            Re=Re,
            total_row_passes=total_row_passes,
        )
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

Online Calculator

Re *

Shell-side Reynolds number (-).

total_row_passes *

Total number of tube row passes (-).