CTB_UNEQUAL_BAFFLE

This function computes the Bell-Delaware correction factor for unequal inlet and outlet baffle spacing. It adjusts shell-side predictions when end-zone spacing differs from the nominal internal baffle spacing.

The factor depends on baffle count, nominal spacing, end spacings, and optional laminar-mode behavior.

Excel Usage

=CTB_UNEQUAL_BAFFLE(baffles, baffle_spacing, baffle_spacing_in, baffle_spacing_out, laminar)
  • baffles (int, required): Number of baffles (-).
  • baffle_spacing (float, required): Average baffle spacing (m).
  • baffle_spacing_in (float, optional, default: null): Spacing from inlet to first baffle (m).
  • baffle_spacing_out (float, optional, default: null): Spacing from last baffle to outlet (m).
  • laminar (bool, optional, default: false): Whether laminar correction is applied (-).

Returns (float): Unequal baffle spacing correction factor, or an error message if invalid.

Example 1: Example unequal spacing case

Inputs:

baffles baffle_spacing baffle_spacing_in baffle_spacing_out
16 0.1 0.15 0.15

Excel formula:

=CTB_UNEQUAL_BAFFLE(16, 0.1, 0.15, 0.15)

Expected output:

0.964009

Example 2: Equal spacing case

Inputs:

baffles baffle_spacing baffle_spacing_in baffle_spacing_out
12 0.12 0.12 0.12

Excel formula:

=CTB_UNEQUAL_BAFFLE(12, 0.12, 0.12, 0.12)

Expected output:

1

Example 3: Laminar flow case

Inputs:

baffles baffle_spacing baffle_spacing_in baffle_spacing_out laminar
8 0.2 0.1 0.2 true

Excel formula:

=CTB_UNEQUAL_BAFFLE(8, 0.2, 0.1, 0.2, TRUE)

Expected output:

1.01529

Example 4: Default inlet and outlet spacing

Inputs:

baffles baffle_spacing
10 0.15

Excel formula:

=CTB_UNEQUAL_BAFFLE(10, 0.15)

Expected output:

1

Python Code

Show Code 
from ht.conv_tube_bank import unequal_baffle_spacing_Bell as ht_unequal_baffle_spacing_Bell

def ctb_unequal_baffle(baffles, baffle_spacing, baffle_spacing_in=None, baffle_spacing_out=None, laminar=False):
    """
    Compute Bell-Delaware unequal baffle spacing 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:
        baffles (int): Number of baffles (-).
        baffle_spacing (float): Average baffle spacing (m).
        baffle_spacing_in (float, optional): Spacing from inlet to first baffle (m). Default is None.
        baffle_spacing_out (float, optional): Spacing from last baffle to outlet (m). Default is None.
        laminar (bool, optional): Whether laminar correction is applied (-). Default is False.

    Returns:
        float: Unequal baffle spacing correction factor, or an error message if invalid.
    """
    try:
        return ht_unequal_baffle_spacing_Bell(
            baffles=baffles,
            baffle_spacing=baffle_spacing,
            baffle_spacing_in=baffle_spacing_in,
            baffle_spacing_out=baffle_spacing_out,
            laminar=laminar,
        )
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

Online Calculator

Number of baffles (-).
Average baffle spacing (m).
Spacing from inlet to first baffle (m).
Spacing from last baffle to outlet (m).
Whether laminar correction is applied (-).