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 baffle 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 opposite end of the end cap, which is referred to as the tube side; the other fluid enters through a nozzle in the shell and exits through another nozzle on the shell, known as the shell side.

Fixed tube sheet heat exchanger

The structure is simple, compact, and cost-effective, but it cannot be mechanically cleaned on the outside. The tube bundle is connected to the tube plate, which is welded to both ends of the shell. A top cover is attached to it, with fluid inlet and outlet connections on the top cover and shell. Typically, a series of baffles perpendicular to the tube bundle are installed outside. Meanwhile, the connection between the steel pipes and tube plate to the shell is rigid, and there are two different fluids at different temperatures inside and outside the tubes. 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 expansion of the two, which may 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 shell side fluid pressure is not high. Generally, when the shell side pressure exceeds 0.6Mpa, due to the thick compensation ring, it is difficult to expand and contract, losing the temperature difference compensation effect, and alternative structures should be considered.

U-tube heat exchanger

U-shaped tube heat exchangers, each tube bent into a U-shape, fixed at both ends on the same tube sheet, allowing for free expansion of each tube to address thermal compensation issues. The tube side has at least two passes, the tube bundle can be removed for cleaning, and the tubes can expand freely. The structure is simple, lightweight, and suitable for high temperature and high-pressure conditions.

Immersion Snake Tube Heat Exchanger

Heat exchangers utilizing serpentine tubes as heat transfer elements are one type of shell-and-tube heat exchangers. They feature a simple structure, are easy to manufacture, install, clean, and maintain, and are cost-effective. Moreover, they are particularly suitable for cooling high-pressure fluids, thus continuing to be used.

Technical Specifications