Computational analysis of flow-induced noise in shell-and-tube heat exchanger: Shell-side excitation and tube vibration dominate

作者：W Chen, X. Liu, Weixi Huang, Yun Liang, Yudong Sun · 发表于：Journal of Vibration and Control · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1177/10775463261463490 · 研究领域：Aerodynamics and Acoustics in Jet Flows、Acoustic Wave Phenomena Research、Advanced Thermodynamic Systems and Engines

In heat exchangers, cold and hot fluid flow during heat exchange generates noise. This noise propagates through connected piping systems and considerably affects the acoustic stealth performance of vessels. With increasing flow rates and the trend toward larger-scale heat exchangers, noise issues have become more pronounced, highlighting the urgent need for effective noise control strategies. However, the underlying excitation mechanisms, noise sources, and radiation characteristics of flow-induced noise in liquid-cooled heat exchangers remain poorly understood. This gap renders vibration and noise control efforts ineffective and insufficient to support the low-noise design of heat exchangers. To address this gap, herein, we performed numerical analysis using computational fluid dynamics and acoustic analogy theory. Noise levels were calculated under both shell-side and tube-side flow conditions. A comparative analysis revealed that heat exchanger noise is primarily driven by shell-side flow excitation, specifically, the sound pressure level of noise induced by shell-side flow is approximately 26 dB higher than that induced by tube-side flow. Furthermore, under shell-side excitation, the radiated noise at the tube-side inlet and outlet is about 5 dB higher than that at the shell-side ports. Considering that the tube-side passages are directly connected to the vessel’s seawater piping system, this finding underscores the critical necessity of investigating and mitigating heat ...