To potentially avoid wasting a lot of valuable time, I recommend you obtain a copy of a formal heat transfer text that would be one of the items that would be expected to be in your background of knowledge. Many, if not most, chemical and mechanical engineers are capable and efficient programmers - but yet, lack the experience of designing an industrial shell & tube unit. That is why the design of these type of equipment is usually left in the hands of experienced mechanical and chemical engineers who have had a series of studies and experiences beyond of what is expected of a person who may be an expert in computer programming.

When you embark on using a formal, detailed engineering software such as HTRI you should be thoroughly trained in the Unit Operation of heat transfer - which usually falls in the realm of either mechanical or chemical engineering (probably due to the extensive training in that discipline).Įngineering design - especially process heat transfer - involves a lot of more knowledge than just a series of equations, software, or mathematical relationships. And to do that, you have to have formal training in several other disciplines that extend beyond what a normal programmer is expected to know: fluid mechanics, mathematics, phase equilibria, etc., etc. You cannot expect to design a dependable, correct heat transfer apparatus (such as a shell & tube unit) without having had a formal preparation and training in process heat transfer.

They are not meant as criticism on you or your programming background. The following are only my personal opinions, based on over 57 years of experience as a practicing engineer.

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