MECHANICAL DESIGN OF HEAT EXCHANGERS

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MECHANICAL DESIGN OF HEAT EXCHANGERS

Morris, M.
DOI:10.1615/AtoZ.m.mechanical_design_of_heat_exchangers

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The Shell and Tube, the Air Cooled and the Plate-type Exchanger are the three most commonly used types of exchangers in the chemical and process industries. With increasing eort in recent years to reduce weight and size and increase eciency, other types of exchangers are increasingly used. However the mechanical (and thermal) design of these alternative exchangers tends to be of a proprietary nature which may explain why many clients prefer the tried-and-tested shell and tube exchanger type which still predominates in most plants. The general principles of the mechanical design of the following types of exchangers are given in the Heat Exchanger Design Handbook (1994), and full descriptions of each, are given under the corresponding entries in this encyclopedia: a. Shell and Tube Exchangers b. Air Cooled Exchangers c. Plate Type Exchangers d. Plate Fin Type Exchangers e. Double Pipe Exchangers f. Graphite Block Exchangers g. Spiral Plate Type Exchangers
MACH NUMBER

h. Direct Contact Exchangers

MACH NUMBER, IN NOZZLES MACH WAVES MACH, ERNST 1838-1916 MACH-ZEHNDER INTERFEROMETRY MACHINE LANGUAGE MACLAURIN SERIES MACRO-POROUS AND MACRO-RETICULAR RESINS MAGNESIUM MAGNETIC FIELDS MAGNETIC FUSION REACTORS MAGNETIC REYNOLDS NUMBER MAGNETIC SEALS MAGNETICALLY DRIVEN ARC MAGNETO ACOUSTIC WAVES MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATORS MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC FLOWS OF A SECOND GRADE FLUID MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC METHODS MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS AND RADIATIVE EFFECTS ON FREE CONVECTION FLOW OF FLUID MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS IN LIQUID METALS MAGNOX

i. Heat Pipes. The shell and tube exchanger basically consists of a number of connected components, some of which are also used in the construction of other types of exchangers. The pressurized components of the shell and tube exchanger are designed to be in accordance with a pressure vessel design code such as ASME VIII (1993) or BS5500 (1994). To meet the relevant regulations (see Pressure Vessels) the pressurized components of alternative types of exchangers must meet at least the principles of a relevant pressure vessel design code. A pressure vessel design code alone cannot be expected to cover all the special features of heat exchangers. To give guidance and protection to designers, manufacturers and purchasers, a supplementary code is desirable. A universally accepted code for shell and tube exchangers is TEMA (1988), which although designed to supplement ASME VIII, can be used in conjunction with other pressure vessel codes. TEMA species minimum thicknesses, corrosion allowances, particular design requirements, tolerances, testing requirements, aspects of operation, maintenance and guarantees. (See also TEMA Standards.) One of the most useful functions of TEMA is to provide a simple three-le7er system that completely denes all shell and tube exchangers with respect to exchanger type, stationary end head, rear end head and shell side nozzle conguration. This system is shown in Figure 1. The rst le7er denes the stationary end head, the middle le7er denes the shell type and the last le7er the rear end type.

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MAGNOX POWER STATION MAGNUS FORCE MAGNUSSEN AND HJERTAGER MODEL MAINFRAME COMPUTERS MALDISTRIBUTION OF FLOW MALVERN, SCATTERING, METHOD FOR PARTICLE SIZING MANOMETERS MANOMETRY MARANGONI CONVECTION MARANGONI EFFECT MARGULES EQUATION MARINE FUEL OILS MARINE GAS TURBINES MARIOTTE LAW MASS ACTION LAW MASS FLOW METERS MASS MEDIAN DIAMETER, MMD MASS SPECTROSCOPY MASS TRANSFER MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS MASS TRANSFER UNDER REDUCED GRAVITY MASS TRANSFER, ELECTROCHEMICAL, PROBE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MIT MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION MATHEMATICAL METHODS MATHEMATICAL MODELING MATTE MAXI-COMPUTERS MAXIMUM HEAT FLUX MAXIMUM HYGROSCOPIC MOISTURE CONTENT

Figure 1. TEMA Designation System. 1988 by Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association.

MAXIMUM LIQUID TEMPERATURE MAXWELL EQUATION

In specifying TEMA (Fig. 1) the purchaser will choose one of the three classes: Class R for generally severe requirements of petroleum and related processing applications,

MAXWELL EQUATION FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

Class C for generally moderate requirements of commercial and general process applications, Class B for chemical process service.

MAXWELL FLUIDS MAXWELL MODEL FOR ACCOMMODATION COEFFICIENT MAXWELL RELATIONS MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS MAXWELL-BOLTZMANN DISTRIBUTION MAXWELL-STEFAN EQUATIONS MCCABE - THIELE METHOD MCCABE-THLELE METHOD MCREYNOLDS CONSTANT

Heat transfer equipment may be designated by type or function it performs, such as chiller, condenser, cooler reboiler, etc. The choice of shell and tube type is determined chiey by factors such as the need for the provision for dierential movement between shell and tubes, the design pressure, the design temperature, and the fouling nature of the uids rather than the function. More information on the choice of types, their main features and their design, is given in Saunders (1988). A common type of shell and tube exchanger is the xed tubesheet type. This is shown in Figure 2, and has the TEMA designation AEM. The main components of the exchanger shown in Figure 2 feature in most shell and tube exchangers and are given a reference number which relates to the component descriptions below.

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MEAN FREE PATH MEAN PHASE CONTENT MEAN TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE MEAN TEMPERATURE DRIVING FORCE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

Figure 2. Fixed tubesheet exchanger.

MEASURING ELECTRIC FIELDS WITH LASERINDUCED FLUORESCENCE-DIP STARK SPECTROSCOPY MECHANICAL DESIGN OF HEAT EXCHANGERS MECHANICAL HEART VALVE MEISSNER EFFECT MELT FILMS MELTING MELTING HEAT MELTING OF ICE MEMBRANE POLARIZATION MEMBRANE PROCESSES MEMBRANE TYPE FILTERS MEMBRANES, ION EXCHANGE MENDELEEV-CLAPEYRON EQUATION MERCURY MERKEL'S EQUATION MESOSCOPIC ENERGY SYSTEMS MESOSPHERE METAL POWDERS METAL SURFACES METAL-COATED POLYMER FIBERS IN INFRARED AND MICROWAVE METALLURGICAL PLASMA REACTORS METALS METHANE METHANOL METHOD OF CHARACTERISTICS METHODS OF SUPERPOSED GRIDS AND OF VIRTUAL Z-MESHES METHYLAMINE METHYLCHLORIDE METRE METZNER-OTTO CONSTANTS FOR IMPELLERS MICELLAR CATALYSIS MICELLES MICHAELIS-MENTEN RELATIONSHIP MICHELSON INTERFEROMETRY MICROBUBBLE MICROCHANNEL FLOW

The following components perform a function mainly related to uid ow: 1. Tubes. The usual outside diameter range for petroleum and petrochemical applications is 15 to 32 mm, with 19 and 25 being the most common. Tubes may be purchased to minimum or average wall thickness. The thickness tolerances for minimum wall tubes are minus zero, plus 18% to 22% of the nominal thickness, while those of average wall tubes are plus and minus 8% to 10% of the nominal wall thickness. Tube thickness must be checked against internal and external pressure but the dimensions of the most commonly used tubes can withstand appreciable pressures. The most common tube length range is 3600 to 9000 mm for removable bundles and 3600 to 15000 mm for the xed tube type. Removable bundle weights are often limited to 20 tons. TEMA species minimum tube pitch/ outside diameter ratios and minimum gaps between tubes. 2. Channel partition plates. For exchangers with multiple tube passes, the channels are 7ed with at metal plates which divide the head into separate compartments. The thickness of these plates depends on channel diameter but is usually 9 to 16 mm for carbon and low alloy steels and 6 to 13 mm for the more expensive alloys. Except for special high pressure heads, the partition plates are always welded to the channel barrel and also to the adjacent tubesheet or cover if either of these components is in turn welded to the channel. If the tubesheet or cover is not welded to the channel, the tubesheet or cover is grooved and the edge of the partition plate sealed by a gasket embedded in the grooves. 3. Shell baes. Shell cross baes have the dual purpose of supporting the tubes at intervals to prevent sag and vibration, and also of forcing the shell side uid back and forth across the bundle, from one end of the exchanger to the other. Segmentally single cut baes are the most common, however, thermal or pressure drop may dictate baes of more complicated shape. Split backing ring and pull through oating head exchangers have a special support type bae adjacent to the oating head to take the weight of the oating head assembly. TEMA species the minimum bae thickness, the maximum unsupported tube length, the clearances between tubes and holes in the baes and between shell inside diameter and bae outside diameter. Two shell pass exchangers (see Figure 2 shell types F, G or H) require a longitudinal bae, which for F type exchangers is welded to the stationary tubesheet. Leakage of the shell side uid between the shell and the longitudinal bae edges must be minimized. When removable bundles are used, this leakage gap is sealed by exible strips or packing devices. Figure 3 shows a typical exible strip. 4. Tie rods. Tie rods and spacers are used to hold the tube bundle together and to locate the shell baes in the correct position. Tie rods are circular metal rods screwed into the stationary tubesheet and secured at the farthest bae by lock nuts. The number of tie rods depends on shell diameter and is specied, by TEMA. The following components perform a function mainly related to pressure and uid containment. Their design is carried out in accordance with the relevant pressure vessel code, see Pressure Vessels. 5/6. Shell barrel and channel barrel. TEMA species minimum barrel thicknesses depending on diameter, material and class. Most barrels larger than 450 mm internal diameter are fabricated from rolled and welded plate. The shell barrel must be straight and true as a tightly 7ing tube bundle must be inserted and particular care has to be taken in fabrication. Large nozzles may cause sinkage at the nozzle/shell junction due to weld shrinkage and temporary stieners may be needed. 7/8. Dished heads and at heads. Small diameter, low pressure dished heads are sometimes cast but most dished heads are fabricated from plate and are of semi-ellipsoidal, torispherical or hemispherical shape. The minimum thickness of dished heads is the same as for adjacent barrels. Tube cleaning with a welded channel bonnet (TEMA front end B) would require the breaking and remaking of the channel nozzle anges to enable the channel to be removed. A at head (TEMA front end A) avoids this and allows the pipework to remain in place. 9. Nozzles. Most nozzles are sized to match the adjacent schedule piping. The openings in the barrels require reinforcement in accordance with the relevant pressure vessel code which in turn will limit the maximum size of nozzle opening. Figure 4 shows a typical nozzle in moderate service, with reinforcement provided by a reinforcement plate and with a weld neck nozzle ange. 10. Flanges. Three types of anges are found in shell and tube exchangers, namely, Girth anges for the shell and channel barrels; internal anges in the oating head exchanger to allow disassembly of the internals and removal of the tube bundle; and nozzle anges where the ange and gasket standards, the size and pressure rating will be set by the line specication. Figure 5 shows three types of anges. The weld neck ange type, which has a tapered hub with a smooth stress transition and accessibility for full nondestructive examination, provides the highest integrity of the three types. A ange consists of three subcomponents: the ange ring, the gasket and the bolting. The successful operation of the ange depends on the correct choice, design and assembly of these subcomponents. The Heat Exchange Design Handbook contains two chapters discussing these factors. 11. Tubesheets. Tubesheets less than 100 mm thick are generally made from plate material. Thicker tubesheets, or for high integrity service, are made from forged discs. Clad plate is commonly used where high alloy material is required for process reasons. A clad tubesheet consists of a carbon or low alloy backing plate of sucient thickness to satisfy the pressure vessel design code, with a layer of the higher alloy material bonded onto it by welding or by explosion cladding. TEMA gives design rules to calculate the tubesheet thickness, which give similar but not identical results to the rules in ASME and BS5500. It also species tolerances for tube hole diameter, ligament width and for drill drift. Dierent methods are available for the a7achment of the tube end to the tubesheet. The most common method is roller expansion where the force produced by an expanding tool deforms the tube radially outward to give a mechanical seal. In explosive expansion a charge is placed inside the tube within the tubesheet thickness. It is more expensive than roller expansion but can produce tighter joints. Welded tube joints can be produced at the outer face of the tubesheet or downhole at the inner face of the tubesheet. The success of the tube end joints is highly dependent on the correct choice of type and the experience of the manufacturer. This is discussed in detail in Saunders (1988). 12. Expansion bellows. These may be required in the shell of a xed tubesheet exchanger or at the oating head of single tube pass oating head exchangers. They are discussed in more detail in Expansion joints.

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MICROCHANNELS MICROCIRCULATORY CELL OF THE PLANT LEAF MICROCOMPUTERS MICRODAMAGE MICROELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MICROFILTRATION MICROFIN TUBES MICROGRAVITY CONDITIONS MICROLEVEL FLOWS MICROORGANISM MICROPOLAR FLUID MICROSCALE PHENOMENA MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION MICROSTRUCTURE OF HETEROGENEOUS MIXTURE MICROSYSTEMS MICROWAVE DRYING MICROWAVE HEATING MICROWAVE PLASMA TREATMENT MICROWAVES MIE SCATTERING MIE SERIES MIE SOLUTION FOR SPHERICAL PARTICLES MIE THEORY MIKIC, ROHSENOW AND GRIFFITH EQUATION, FOR BUBBLE GROWTH MINIATURE HEAT PIPES MINIATURE OSCILLATING HEAT PIPES MINICOMPUTERS MINIMUM FILM BOILING TEMPERATURE MINIMUM FLUIDIZATION VELOCITY MIROPOLSKII FORMULA, FOR POST DRYOUT HEAT TRANSFER MIST COOLING MIST ELIMINATORS MISTS MIT MIXED (COMBINED) CONVECTION MIXED SPECTRAL-FINITE DIFFERENCE TECHNIQUE MIXER SETTLERS MIXER-HEAT EXCHANGERS MIXERS MIXERS, STATIC

Figure 3. Longitudinal bae.

Figure 4. Welds neck nozzle.

Figure 5. Flange types. Other important heat exchanger components include those in the oating head assemblies, supports and rectangular headers in air cooled exchangers. These and other components are described in the Heat Exchanger Design Handbook.

References:

ASME VIII Division 1. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. (1993) Rules for the construction of pressure vessels. ASME New York. BS5500 British Standard for the Specication for Unred Pressure Vessels. (1994) BSI London. Saunders, E. A. D. (1988) Heat Exchangers: Selection, Design and Construction. Longman, London. Heat Exchanger Design Handbook (1994) Begell House Inc, New York. TEMA Standards of the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association. (1988) TEMA New York

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