Abstract: A vertical rod baffle heat exchanger may be used for heat removal, condensation operations, electricity generation, petrochemical plants, waste heat recovery, and other industrial applications. The vertical rod baffle heat exchanger may include a shell; a tube-sheet; a tube bundle having a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending in an axial direction; six or more longitudinal partition plates; and a plurality of rod baffle rings provided along an axial length of the plurality of heat exchange tubes. At least one longitudinal partition plate may be a notched longitudinal partition plate. The plurality of rod baffle rings may have lateral rod baffles and longitudinal rod baffles. The lateral rod baffles and the longitudinal rod baffles may pass through gaps between every two adjacent tubes of plurality of heat exchange tubes. The lateral rod baffles may pass through openings in the notched longitudinal partition plate.