INSTED Features

This is your one-stop software suite for modern heat exchanger thermal management analysis in data centers and the aviation, automotive, and HVAC industries.

Heat Exchangers (HEX) Analysis

You can rate and design the following types of heat exchangers:

Capabilities

Fin Type

  • Rectangular
  • Triangular
  • Trapezoidal
  • Wavy

Fin Profiles

  • Plain
  • Serrated
  • Herringbone

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis

Other Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)
  • Parametric Rating Calculations
  • Sizing & Optimization
  • Custom j/f Data Input for Fins
  • Kays & London Data for Fins
  • User-Defined Fin Geometry Data
  • Multiple Passes/Partitions
  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis
  • Rectangular
  • Triangular
  • Trapezoidal
  • Wavy
  • Plain
  • Serrated
  • Herringbone

Gallery

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Capabilities

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis

Other Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)
  • Parametric Rating Calculations
  • Sizing & Optimization
  • Custom j/f Data Input for Plate Patterns
  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis

Gallery

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Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)
  • Parametric Rating Calculations
  • Preliminary Design
  • Various Shell Types
  • Various Tubes Bundle

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis
    • Boiling in tube
    • Boiling in shell
    • Condensation in tube
    • Condensation in shell

Baffle Types/Options

Types

  • Segmented
  • No tubes in window
  • Strip baffle

Options

  • Even baffle spacing
  • Uneven baffle spacing
  •  

Options for Shell-Side Analysis

  • Kern’s integral method
  • Bell-Delaware method
  • Stream analysis method

System Configuration

  • Multiple tube passes
  • Multiple shell passes
  • Multiple shells in series
  • Shells in parallel

Tube Types/Layouts

Types

  • Plain tubes
  • Integral low
  • Finned tubes

Layouts

  • Triangle
  • Rotated triangle
  • Square
  • Rotated square
  •  
  • Kern’s integral method
  • Bell-Delaware method
  • Stream analysis method
  • Multiple tube passes
  • Multiple shell passes
  • Multiple shells in series
  • Shells in parallel
  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis
    • Boiling in tube
    • Boiling in shell
    • Condensation in tube
    • Condensation in shell

Types

  • Plain tubes
  • Integral low
  • Finned tubes

Layouts

  • Triangle
  • Rotated triangle
  • Square
  • Rotated square
  •  

Types

  • Segmented
  • No tubes in window
  • Strip baffle

Options

  • Even baffle spacing
  • Uneven baffle spacing
  •  

Gallery

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Capabilities

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis
    • Boiling in tube
    • Boiling in annulus
    • Condensation in tube
    • Condensation in annulus

Other Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)

Gallery

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Capabilities

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Single-phase analysis
  • Two-phase analysis
    • Boiling in stream tube
    • Boiling in stream shell
    • Condensation in tube
    • Condensation in shell

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)
  • Parametric Rating Calculations
  • Sizing & Optimization
  • Finned and Unfinned
  • Inline and Staggered Tube Bundles
  • Multiple Tube Passes

Gallery

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Capabilities

Fin Type

  • Rectangular
  • Triangular
  • Trapezoidal
  • Wavy
  • Custom fin types can be supplied in the form of j/f characteristic curves

Other Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)

Fin Profile

  • Plain
  • Serrated
  • Herringbone
  • Custom fin types can be supplied in the form of j/f characteristic curves

Boundary Conditions

  • Fixed temperature
  • Fixed heat flux
  • Insulated
  • Convective boundary
  • Rectangular
  • Triangular
  • Trapezoidal
  • Wavy
  • Custom fin types can be supplied in the form of j/f characteristic curves
  • Plain
  • Serrated
  • Herringbone
  • Custom fin types can be supplied in the form of j/f characteristic curves
  • Fixed temperature
  • Fixed heat flux
  • Insulated
  • Convective boundary

Gallery

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Capabilities

  • Rating (Performance Analysis)

Gallery

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Basic Thermal-hydraulic Modules

The following basic thermal-hydraulic modules are also included:

Capabilities

Model Types

  • Single fin
  • Array of fins

Analysis Type

  • Detailed analysis (exact closed-form, one-dimensional)
  • Approximate analysis

Fin Type

  • Rectangular, Triangular, Parabolic, Inverse parabolic, Annular round fin with rectangular profile, Trapezodial, Conical spine, Cylindrical spine, Annular square fin with rectangular profile

Results for Rating Analysis

  • Heat flow rate
  • Area of fin
  • Fin efficiency
  • Fin resistance
  • Total heat flow rate (for fin array)
  • Total fin efficiency (for fin array)
  • Total fin resistance (for fin array)

Boundary Conditions

For detailed analysis only:

  • Infinitely long fin
  • Heat transfer coefficient at fin end
  • Insulated fin end
  • Specified heat flux at fin end

Required Input for Rating Analysis

  • Analysis type (detailed or approximate analysis)
  • Model type (single fin or fin array)
  • Fin type
  • Fin geometry (depending on fin type may be thickness of fin, length of fin or inner and outer radius of fin)
  • Thermal conductivity of fin material
  • Film coefficient
  • Base temperature of fin
  • Ambient temperature
  • Boundary condition at fin end (for detailed analysis)
  • Number of fins (for fin arrays)
  • Total surface area (for fin arrays)
  •  
  • Single fin
  • Array of fins
  • Detailed analysis (exact closed-form, one-dimensional)
  • Approximate analysis
  • Rectangular, Triangular, Parabolic, Inverse parabolic, Annular round fin with rectangular profile, Trapezodial, Conical spine, Cylindrical spine, Annular square fin with rectangular profile

For detailed analysis only:

  • Infinitely long fin
  • Heat transfer coefficient at fin end
  • Insulated fin end
  • Specified heat flux at fin end
  • Analysis type (detailed or approximate analysis)
  • Model type (single fin or fin array)
  • Fin type
  • Fin geometry (depending on fin type may be thickness of fin, length of fin or inner and outer radius of fin)
  • Thermal conductivity of fin material
  • Film coefficient
  • Base temperature of fin
  • Ambient temperature
  • Boundary condition at fin end (for detailed analysis)
  • Number of fins (for fin arrays)
  • Total surface area (for fin arrays)
  •  
  • Heat flow rate
  • Area of fin
  • Fin efficiency
  • Fin resistance
  • Total heat flow rate (for fin array)
  • Total fin efficiency (for fin array)
  • Total fin resistance (for fin array)
  •  

Gallery

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Capabilities

Rating (Performance Analysis)

  • Heat flow rate
  • Temperature difference
  • Thickness of a specified layer

Preliminary Design

  • Supports specified temperature, film coefficient and radiation conditions at one or the two external surfaces.
  • Supports fins at the surfaces.
  • Grouping into material types makes the analysis of complicated systems very easy.
  • Up to 100 material types and 50 layers.

Wall Types

  • Radial wall
  • Slab Wall

Required Input for Rating Analysis

  • Number of layers
  • Number of material types
  • Surface boundary condition type
  • Surface film coefficient (depending on surface conditions)
  • Surface temperature (depending on surface conditions)
  • Indication of radiation at surfaces
  • Indication of fins at the surfaces
  • Conductivity (for each material layer)
  • Depth (for each material layer)
  • Radius (for each material layer, for radial wall)

Results for Rating Analysis

  • Net resistance
  • Net temperature difference
  • Total heat transfer rate
  • Resistance (for each layer)
  • Temperature in (for each layer)
  • Temperature out (for each layer)
  • Heat flow rate
  • Temperature difference
  • Thickness of a specified layer
  • Supports specified temperature, film coefficient and radiation conditions at one or the two external surfaces.
  • Supports fins at the surfaces.
  • Grouping into material types makes the analysis of complicated systems very easy.
  • Up to 100 material types and 50 layers.
  • Radial wall
  • Slab Wall
  • Number of layers
  • Number of material types
  • Surface boundary condition type
  • Surface film coefficient (depending on surface conditions)
  • Surface temperature (depending on surface conditions)
  • Indication of radiation at surfaces
  • Indication of fins at the surfaces
  • Conductivity (for each material layer)
  • Depth (for each material layer)
  • Radius (for each material layer, for radial wall)
  • Net resistance
  • Net temperature difference
  • Total heat transfer rate
  • Resistance (for each layer)
  • Temperature in (for each layer)
  • Temperature out (for each layer)

Gallery

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Capabilities

Tube Types

  • Plain
  • Finned

Tube Layout

  • Square
  • Rotated square
  • Triangle
  • Rotated triangle

Fin Type

  • Transverse
  • Rectangular
  • Tapered
  • Spiral

Boundary Conditions

  • For detailed analysis only:
    • Infinitely long fin
    • Heat transfer coefficient at fin end
    • Insulated fin end
    • Specified heat flux at fin end

Phase Change Capabilities

  • Single phase analysis
  • Two phase Analysis
    • Condensation on the tubes
    • Evaporation from the tubes

Other Features

  • Results for all Reynolds numbers from 0 to 2×106
  • Allows use of Corbels
  • Supports a range of yaw angles

Required Input for Rating Analysis

  • Tube diameter
  • Longitudinal pitch
  • Transverse pitch
  • Ambient temperature
  • Free-stream velocity or mass flow rate
  • Fluid density, specific heat, thermal conductivity, Prandtl number, Prandtl number at tube wall
  • Tube length
  • Tube conductivity
  • Number of tubes
  • Number of tubes in the longitudinal direction
  • Whether to use Corbels

Fin thickness, yaw angle, fin height, and fin spacing may be required for finned tubes

Results from Rating Analysis

  • Reynolds number
  • Maximum velocity
  • Nusselt number (plain)
  • Nusselt number (finned)
  • Heat transfer coefficient (plain/finned)
  • Total heat flow rate (plain/finned)
  • Pressure loss (plain/finned)
  • Surface area (plain)
  • total fin area
  • Area between fins
  • Single fin efficiency
  • Outlet temperature
  • LMTD
  • Plain
  • Finned
  • Square
  • Rotated square
  • Triangle
  • Rotated triangle
  • Transverse
  • Rectangular
  • Tapered
  • Spiral
  • For detailed analysis only:
    • Infinitely long fin
    • Heat transfer coefficient at fin end
    • Insulated fin end
    • Specified heat flux at fin end
  • Single phase analysis
  • Two phase Analysis
    • Condensation on the tubes
    • Evaporation from the tubes
  • Results for all Reynolds numbers from 0 to 2×106
  • Allows use of Corbels
  • Supports a range of yaw angles
  • Tube diameter
  • Longitudinal pitch
  • Transverse pitch
  • Ambient temperature
  • Free-stream velocity or mass flow rate
  • Fluid density, specific heat, thermal conductivity, Prandtl number, Prandtl number at tube wall
  • Tube length
  • Tube conductivity
  • Number of tubes
  • Number of tubes in the longitudinal direction
  • Whether to use Corbels

Fin thickness, yaw angle, fin height, and fin spacing may be required for finned tubes
  • Reynolds number
  • Maximum velocity
  • Nusselt number (plain)
  • Nusselt number (finned)
  • Heat transfer coefficient (plain/finned)
  • Total heat flow rate (plain/finned)
  • Pressure loss (plain/finned)
  • Surface area (plain)
  • total fin area
  • Area between fins
  • Single fin efficiency
  • Outlet temperature
  • LMTD

Gallery

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Capabilities

Rating (Performance Analysis)

  • Calculation of flow rate
  • Calculation of pressure loss
  • System curve generation
  • Prediction of cavitations
  • Calculation of power/energy
  • Calculation of pipe diameter

Features

  • Supports up to 1000 pipes
  • Supports up to 500 loss types per pipe
  • Grouping into pipe types makes the analysis of complicated systems very easy (pipes of the same type have equal diameter and roughness values)

Graphs

  • Plots graph of system curve
  • Plots graph of pump curve if user provides data points
  • Computes the intersection of system and pump curve

Additional Result Format

  • Printable result summary sheet

Required Input for Rating Analysis

  • Velocity at inlet and outlet
  • Elevation at inlet and outlet
  • Pressure at inlet and outlet
  • Fluid density
  • Fluid viscosity
  • Total flow rate
  • Number of pipes, pipe types, and loss types.

For each pipe:
  • Pipe diameter
  • Pipe roughness
  • Length of pipe
  • Pipe type
  • Number of loss components
  • Loss component type for each loss component

Results from Rating Analysis

For detailed analysis only:
  • Flow rate
  • Pressure loss
  • Power/Energy
  • Likelihood of occurence of cavitation
  • System curve

For each pipe:
  • Velocity
  • Pressure drop
  • Calculation of flow rate
  • Calculation of pressure loss
  • System curve generation
  • Prediction of cavitations
  • Calculation of power/energy
  • Calculation of pipe diameter
  • Supports up to 1000 pipes
  • Supports up to 500 loss types per pipe
  • Grouping into pipe types makes the analysis of complicated systems very easy (pipes of the same type have equal diameter and roughness values)
  • Velocity at inlet and outlet
  • Elevation at inlet and outlet
  • Pressure at inlet and outlet
  • Fluid density
  • Fluid viscosity
  • Total flow rate
  • Number of pipes, pipe types, and loss types.

For each pipe:
  • Pipe diameter
  • Pipe roughness
  • Length of pipe
  • Pipe type
  • Number of loss components
  • Loss component type for each loss component
For detailed analysis only:
  • Flow rate
  • Pressure loss
  • Power/Energy
  • Likelihood of occurence of cavitation
  • System curve

For each pipe:
  • Velocity
  • Pressure drop
  • Plots graph of system curve
  • Plots graph of pump curve if user provides data points
  • Computes the intersection of system and pump curve
  • Printable result summary sheet

Gallery

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Database

A database integrated with INSTED provides you access on-the-fly to:

Capabilities

  • Properties of fluids including density, specific heat, thermal conductivity, viscosity, Prandtl number, and thermal expansion coefficient.
  • General fluid properties including melting point, boiling point, chemical formula, saturation temperature and pressure, etc.
  • Two-phase properties support hundreds of fluids used in engineering applications.
  • Properties of solids including density, conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient.

Gallery

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Capabilities

  • Nominal pipe schedules versus the actual dimensions for wrought iron pipes and copper water tubing and Birmingham wire gauge (BWG) for condenser tubes.

Gallery

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Capabilities

  • Optimum velocity for the flow of various fluids in a duct.

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Capabilities

  • Optimum velocity for the flow of various fluids in a duct.

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Capabilities

When residue and dirt accumulate on the tube walls of heat exchangers that have been in use for an extended period of time, the effective heat transfer coefficient will decrease. The resistances to heat flow due to the surface residues are known as fouling factors. INSTED®/Database allows you to access various heat exchanger fouling factors.

Fluids in the database are arranged into seventeen categories, including general fluids, process fluids, water system fluids, various oil refinery fluids, etc.

Gallery

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Capabilities

  • Absolute roughness values for typical materials and surfaces in thermal analysis.

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Capabilities

  • Ballpark heat transfer coefficients for free convection, boiling, and condensation
  • Ballpark U values for shell & tube and concentric tube heat exchangers

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Capabilities

  • ube count data for Shell and Tube heat exchanger systems, as a function of the tube outer diameter, the tube pitch type, the inner shell diameter, and the number of tube passes.

Gallery

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Capabilities

  • Friction factor calculation for pipe flow, given the Reynolds number, pipe diameter, and roughness.

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Capabilities

  • Surface emissivity of hundreds of materials

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You can create and run your projects and view your calculation results online. All you need is an electronic device that can browse the internet. It’s this simple.

Other Capabilities

Multiple HEX Design Tools

  • Parameter Analysis (Rating)
  • Preliminary Design( Multiple Rating)
  • Sizing
  • Optimization

Multiple HEX Design Tools

  • Custom Fluid Properties
  • Custom j/f Data
  • Custom Fin Geometry

Two_Phase Models

  • 37 Boiling & Condensation Models
  • Modification for Enhanced Surfaces
  • Incremental Method

Advanced Optimization Algorithms

  • Gradient Method
  • Adjoint-Based Method
  • Genetic Algorithm (GA)
  • Advanced Sensitivity Analysis

Engineering Tools

  • Thermal-Hydraulic Database
  • Advanced Math Calculation Tool
  • Engineering Units Conversion