Baffle (heat transfer)

It is used in some household stoves[1] and in some industrial process vessels (tanks), such as shell and tube heat exchangers, chemical reactors, and static mixers.

A baffle is designed to support tube bundles and direct the flow of fluids for maximum efficiency.

[4] In this case the baffle helps increase the efficiency of the stove as more heat leaves the gas before it exits.

Implementation of baffles is decided on the basis of size, cost and their ability to lend support to the tube bundles and direct flow: As mentioned, baffles deal with the concern of support and fluid direction in heat exchangers.

An important design consideration is that no recirculation zones or dead spots form – both of which are counterproductive to effective heat transfer.