Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Fixed tube Sheet

Straight tubes are expanded on two opposite tube sheets, which are welded directly to the shell.

Applications :
Widespread application, except in case that require the removal of the tube bundle for maintenance. It is particularly recommended for vacuum operations on the outer circuit or when gaskets are not desired on this circuit. In particular, it is used as a coolant for oil, transformers or lubrication system or small instant diesel or heater using steam outside the tube. Very useful as a vacuum steam condenser.

Advantages :
Absence of gasket and packing on the external tube circuit, since the shell is directly welded on the tube plate.
Impossibility of intermixing between the two circuits, thereby preventing internal gasket losses. Ease of single tube replacement. This is a very popular version as the head can be removed to clean the inside of the tubes. Heat expansion between the shell and the tube bundle can be absorbed by using one or more expansion joints.

Limitations :
External circuit tube inspection is not possible. Only chemical, but not mechanical, cleaning is possible. It is therefore advisable to use fluid with a high pipe deposit factor inside the pipes.
Incapable of withstanding great temperature differences between the two fluids if expansion bellow is not used.

Full Floated Head

The tubes are expanded on two tube sheets, one fixed and other floating. The diameter of the floating is smaller than shell diameter.

Applications :
The floating head heat exchanger provide the widest variety of applications. It is mainly used for heat exchange operations in the chemical industries in general and in the petrochemical industry in particular.

A floating head is excellent for applications where the difference in temperature between the hot and cold fluid causes unacceptable stresses in the axial direction of the shell and tubes. The floating head can move, i.e. provides the possibility to expand in the axial direction.

Advantages :
Removable tube bundle for inspection and mechanical cleaning on the outside of the tubes. Easy single tube replacement. Easy cleaning of tube interiors. Heat expansion differential between the tube bundle and shell are absorbed by the inside floating head.

Recommended in place of fixed plate heat exchanger for high pressure and temperature operation.

‘U’ Tube

The tube bundle consist of U shaped tubes, which can be removed by disassembling the head.

Applications :
Is intended for operations using high pressure and temperature & for large temperature differences along the tube bundle since each tube can expand independently of the others: and, for cases requiring a simple, economic model and using fluids with a low pipe deposit factor (because a single tube plate offer high savings)

In particular, this model is used for closed circuit water heating in radiator or heat converter systems, using steam, heated or superheated water inside the pipes.

The U shaped heat exchanger can also be used with steam outside and water inside the tubes.

Advantages :
Removable tube bundle facilitates inspection and maintenance of pipes exteriors. No inner gasket .Economic price. Bundle may be expanded tube by tube.

Limitations :
Mechanical cleaning of pipe interiors not possible because of the bent areas, only chemical cleaning possible.

Single pipe replacement not possible with then exception of those found out side the bundle and of small tube bundle. Moreover, for heat exchangers of particular size, internal pipe ruptures may require the complete replacement of the tube bundle. In general, horizontal installation is possible.

Hair Pin / Double Pipe

This heat exchanger consists a pair of concentric tubes. One of the fluids used for heat exchange flows in the inner tube, and the other in the annular space between the two tubes.

Application :

The Hair-Pin heat exchanger are used in system requiring a moderate quantity of heat exchange with low flow rates and with temperature ranges requiring a perfect countercurrent flow.

 Advantages :

Simple construction and versatile usage, cost saving for smaller heat exchange surfaces. Also suitable for high fluid pressures. Connection control insures maximum guarantee against reciprocal fluid contamination. Perfect countercurrent flow.

Limitations :
Occupies a lot of space. Expensive for large surface. Difficult to clean the welded models.

Kettle Reboilers

Image depicts a typical steam heated kettle reboiler. Kettle reboilers are very simple and reliable. They may require pumping of the column bottoms liquid into the kettle, or there may be sufficient liquid head to deliver the liquid into the reboiler. In this reboiler type, steam flows through the tube bundle and exits and condensate. The liquid from the bottom of the tower, commonly called the bottoms, flows through the shell side. There is a retaining wall or overflow wall separating the tube bundle from the reboiler section where the residual rebolied liquid (called the bottoms product) is withdrawn, so that the tube bundle is kept covered with liquid.

We distribute this Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger in India, Singapore and Malaysia.