Stepped segmental baffle for electric process heater

An electric process heater comprising:

• a vessel containing a fluid;
• a plurality of elongated heating elements extending inside the vessel parallel to a central axis of the electric process heater;
• a plurality of stepped segmental baffles disposed at axial intervals inside the electric process heater to promote heat transfer between the elongated heating elements and the fluid inside the vessel;
• wherein each of the plurality of stepped segmental baffles has a plurality of stepped segments defined by a flat structure that includes a plurality of perforations through which the elongated heating elements extend, wherein the plurality of stepped segments of each baffle comprises a first stepped segment, a second stepped segment and a third stepped segment, wherein the first stepped segment, the second stepped segment and the third stepped segment define sectors having different angular spans and wherein the baffles are spaced radially apart from the vessel;
• wherein the stepped segments are disposed orthogonally relative to the central axis;
• wherein the stepped segments are spaced apart from each other by a varying axial distance;
• and
• wherein the elongated heating elements define a hairpin configuration within the vessel.