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Fluid Allocation in Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers

The document discusses factors to consider when selecting between shell and tube heat exchangers with different tube sheet configurations. It provides guidance on allocating fluids to the shell or tube side based on their properties and which tube sheet types are suitable for different combinations of clean or fouling fluids on each side. Fixed tube sheets are lowest cost but limited to clean shell sides, while floating tube sheets allow for cleaning of both sides but are more expensive.

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syed omer
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107 views

Fluid Allocation in Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers

The document discusses factors to consider when selecting between shell and tube heat exchangers with different tube sheet configurations. It provides guidance on allocating fluids to the shell or tube side based on their properties and which tube sheet types are suitable for different combinations of clean or fouling fluids on each side. Fixed tube sheets are lowest cost but limited to clean shell sides, while floating tube sheets allow for cleaning of both sides but are more expensive.

Uploaded by

syed omer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Classification: General Business Use

Fluid Allocation
Fluids to be passed in shell side :
▪ Fluids of which pressure drop should be low.
▪ Highly viscous fluids as pressure drop is easier to
minimize
▪ Fluids which exhibit a low heat transfer rate
▪ Fluids which undergo the phase change

Fluids to be passed in Tube side :


▪ Dirty Fluids as it is much easier to clean
▪ Fluids at higher pressure
▪ Corrosive Fluids to reduce the exchanger cost
▪ Fluids which contain solids
▪ Cooling water

Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020


Classification: General Business Use
Fixed Tubesheet
Fixed tubesheet HE has straight tubes that are secured at both ends to Tubesheets welded to the shell.

✅ The construction may have removable channel covers (e.g., AEL), bonnet-type channel covers (e.g., BEM), or
integral tubesheets (e.g., NEN).

✅ The principal advantage of the fixed tubesheet construction is its low cost (as expansion joint is not required)
because of its simple construction

✅ The outsides of the tubes cannot be cleaned mechanically. Thus, its application is limited to clean
services on the shell side. (But can be chemically cleaned).

✅ Shell internal and tube bundle external surface cannot be inspected

Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020


Classification: General Business Use
U Tube Tubesheet
U Tube HE, the tubes of a U-tube heat exchanger are bent in the shape of a U. There is only one tubesheet.

✅ The lower cost for the single tubesheet is offset by the additional costs incurred for the bending of the tubes
and the somewhat larger shell diameter (due to the minimum U-bend radius), making the cost of a U-tube heat
exchanger comparable to that of a fixed tubesheet exchanger.

✅ The advantage of a U-tube heat exchanger is that because one end is free, the bundle can expand or contract
in response to stress differentials. In addition, the outsides of the tubes can be cleaned, as the tube bundle
can be removed.

✅ The disadvantage of the U-tube construction is


that the insides of the tubes cannot be cleaned
effectively, since the U-bends would require
flexible- end drill shafts for cleaning. Thus, U-
tube heat exchangers should not be used for
services with a dirty fluid inside tubes.

✅ Limitation during inspection of U bend area

Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020


Classification: General Business Use
Floating Head Tubesheet
Floating-head HE is the most versatile type of STHE, and also the costliest. In this design, one tubesheet is
fixed relative to the shell, and the other is free to “float” within the shell.

✅ This permits free expansion of the tube bundle, as well as cleaning of both the insides and outsides of the
tubes
✅ floating-head SHTEs can be used for services where both the shellside and the tubeside fluids are dirty
making this the standard construction type used in dirty services, such as in petroleum refineries.
✅ There are various types of floating- head construction. The two most common are the floating head with
backing device (TEMA S) and pull through (TEMA T) designs.
✅ There are also two types of packed floating-head construction — outside packed stuffing-box (TEMA P) and
outside-packed lantern ring (TEMA W) . However, since they are prone to leakage, their use is limited to
services with shellside fluids that are nonhazardous and nontoxic and that have moderate pressures and
temperature

Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020


Classification: General Business Use
Externally Sealed Floating Tubesheet
Telltale holes in the lantern rings of the externally sealed floating tubesheets (TEMA Type W) are highly required
and shall be incorporated for early detection of leak and to avoid contamination between the fluids in the two
sides of the exchanger.

✅ The externally sealed floating tubesheet using square braided packing materials shall be used only for water,
steam, air, lubricating oil, or similar services limited design pressure and temperature
✅ The design shall incorporate provisions in the lantern ring so that any leakage past the packing will leak to
atmosphere. For braided packing materials with a seam, a minimum of two rings of packing shall be used on
each side of lantern ring, with seams staggered during assembly
✅ The externally sealed floating tubesheet is not included in ASME UHX part of sec. VIII div.1. It can be said that
it is replaced by the internally sealed configuration D tubesheet which did not include the lantern ring

Externally Sealed Floating Tubesheet Internally Sealed


Tubesheet – TEMA Type W – ASME Configuration D
Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020
Classification: General Business Use
Effect of Velocity on Cooling Water Corrosion in HE
• Low velocities can promote increased corrosion. Velocities below about 3 fps (1 m/s) are likely to
result in fouling, sedimentation and increased corrosion in fresh and brackish water systems.
▪ Accelerated corrosion can also result from dead spots or stagnant areas if cooling water is used on
the shell side of condensers/coolers rather than the preferred tube side.
▪ Velocities should be high enough to minimize fouling and drop out of deposits but not so high as to
cause erosion. Velocity limits depend on the tube material and water quality.
▪ With VERY FEW Exceptions, cooling water SHOULD be on the tube side to minimize stagnant areas.

Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020


Classification: General Business Use
Guidance for Selection of TEMA Type

Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Case 4


Shell Side Tube Side Shell Side Tube Side Shell Side Tube Side Shell Side Tube Side
Clean Clean Fouling Clean Clean Fouling Fouling Fouling

U-Tube Fixed Tubesheet Floating Tubesheet

Heat Exchangers Baher Elsheikh – Nov. 2020

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