Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Product Overview

Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are primarily composed of a shell, baffles, heat exchange tubes, end caps, and weir plates. They can be manufactured using either carbon steel or stainless steel. During the heat exchange process, one fluid enters through the connection pipe at the end cap, flows through the tubes, and exits through the outlet pipe at the other end of the end cap, which is known as the tube side; the other fluid enters through the shell's inlet and exits through another outlet on the shell, referred to as the shell side.

Fixed-tube plate heat exchanger

The structure is relatively simple, compact, and cost-effective, but it cannot be mechanically cleaned on the outside. The heat exchanger tube bundle is connected to the tube plate, which is welded to the ends of the shell. A top cover is connected to it, and the top cover and shell are equipped with fluid inlet and outlet connections. Typically, a series of vertical baffles perpendicular to the tube bundle are installed outside the tubes. The connection between the steel pipes, tube plates, and the shell is rigid, while the fluids inside and outside the tubes are at different temperatures. Therefore, when there is a significant temperature difference between the tube wall and the shell wall, a large temperature difference stress is generated due to the different thermal expansions of the two, which can cause the tubes to twist, bend, or even become loose from the tube plate, or even damage the heat exchanger. Generally, when the temperature difference between the tube wall and the shell wall exceeds 50°C, for safety reasons, the heat exchanger should have a temperature difference compensation device. However, the compensation device (expansion joint) can only be used when the temperature difference between the shell wall and the tube wall is below 60 ~ 70°C and the pressure of the shell-side fluid is not high. Generally, when the shell-side pressure exceeds 0.6Mpa, due to the excessive thickness of the compensation ring, it is difficult to expand and contract, losing the function of temperature difference compensation, and other structures should be considered.

U-tube heat exchanger

U-tube heat exchangers, with each tube bent into a U-shape and fixed at both ends on the same tube sheet, allowing each tube to expand and contract freely for thermal compensation. The tube side has at least two passes, the tube bundle can be removed for cleaning, and the tubes can expand freely. It features a simple structure, light weight, and is suitable for high temperature and high pressure conditions.

Immersion Snake Tube Heat Exchanger

A heat exchanger using a serpentine tube as the heat transfer element is one type of a cross-flow heat exchanger. It boasts a simple structure, ease of manufacturing, installation, cleaning, and maintenance, and is cost-effective. Additionally, it is particularly suitable for cooling high-pressure fluids, and thus, it is still in use.

Technical Specifications