Shell and tube heat exchanger

An open-ended, shell and tube heat exchanger for use in a vertical position comprising:

• (a) a longitudinal shell,
• (b) a pair of spaced tube sheets attached near their periphery to the upper and lower ends of the shell so as to define an enclosed space,
• (c) baffle means positioned proximate to the lower tube sheet extending across and attached to the longitudinal shell so as to divide the enclosed space into a larger condensation chamber and a smaller vapor-liquid separation chamber, said baffle means comprising a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings larger than said first openings,
• (d) a plurality of heat transfer tubes extending through the enclosed space having their opposite ends attached to each tube sheet, each tube extending through a first or second opening and adapted to have a first heat exchange medium flow therethrough,
• (e) a first conduit for introducing vapor communicating with said condensation chamber,
• (f) means for distributing the vapor substantially throughout the condensation chamber, such that vapor and condensing liquid flow downwardly along substantially the entire length of said heat transfer tubes,
• (g) a second conduit having an opening communicating with the vapor-liquid separation chamber for removing condensed liquid, and
• (h) a third conduit having an opening communicating with the vapor-liquid separation chamber, for removing vapor, at a point above the opening of the second conduit.