Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger is the most common type of heat exchanger in oil refineries and other large chemical processes, and is suited for higher-pressure applications. Shell Tubes Heat Exchanger are classified into fixed and Floating type Heat Exchangers . Fixed type Heat Exchangers are used where there are absolutely no chances for inter mixing of two fluids.

Shell and tube heat exchangers consist of a series of tubes. One set of these tubes contains the fluid that must be either heated or cooled. The second fluid runs over the tubes that are being heated or cooled so that it can either provide the heat or absorb the heat required. In this type, the tube sheets are completely welded to the shell and acted as shell flanges. The Floating type Heat Exchangers has the advantages of removability of tube bundle and access for cleaning both inner and outer side of tubes and shell.

Applications:

Shell Tube Heat Exchanger is widely used in variety of application as a cooling solution. The most common amoungthem is for cooling of Hydraulic Fluid and oil in engines, transmissions and hydraulic power packs. With the right coimbination of materials they can also be used to cool or heat other mediums, such as swimming pool water or charge air. One of the big advantages of using a shell and tube heat exchanger is that they are often easy to service, particularly with models where a floating tube bundle (where the tube plates are not welded to the outer shell) is available. Can also be used on fixed tube sheet heat exchangers.

They are commonly used in

• Space heating
• Refrigeration
• Airconditioning
• Power Plants
• Chemical plants
• Petrochemical plants
• Natural gas processing
• Sewage treatment