Heat Exchanger Tubes
Heat Exchanger Tubes are used in a wide variety of industrial liquid to liquid and gas to gas applications. They are often chosen for their strength, corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity. The tubes are usually made of metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel or nickel alloys or non-ferrous copper alloys. Other materials such as Hastelloy and Inconel are also used for specific applications requiring high temperatures or resistance to chemical abrasion. The size of the tube is chosen based on the flow rate, inlet and outlet temperature and pressure levels, as well as physical properties of the substances being processed. This information is used by the manufacturer to engineer a shell and tube heat exchanger to meet the application requirements.
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During operation, the heat transfer tubes experience many stresses and vibrations. This can cause cracks or a loss of pressure between the shell- and tube side. To prevent these risks, baffles are installed on the shell-side of the heat transfer tubes. These help enhance the fluid velocity, force it to cross the tubes according to a specified path and improve the heat transfer efficiency. They also help to reduce the formation of unwanted material on the heat transfer surfaces and the subsequent fouling.
Another way to increase the efficiency of a shell and tube heat exchanger is by using a floating head design. This is where the tube sheet at the rear header end (tube side fluid inlet) is not welded to the shell but allowed to float. This allows for thermal expansion and also makes it easier to dismantle the heat exchanger and inspect the tubes and the inside of the shell.
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