A Description of Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers

Shell and tube heat exchangers are needed for high-pressure applications; they are durable products, which can withstand the demands of many working environments. Their design plays a large part in ashell and tube exchanger's ability to endure exceedingly-challenging situations.

Shell and tube heat exchangers are made from a series of tubes, which can be made of durable material such as fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are highly-durable plastics such as PTFE, FEP, and PFA. Fluoropolymers, like heat exchangers, have a place in a variety of industries such as the automotive, medical, and aeronautical.

In a exchanger's shell, one set of tubes contains fluid, which is either heated or cooled. Another set of tubes also contains liquid, which facilitates the heating or cooling of the primary set of tubes. A tube set is referred to as the tube bundle and can take on a variety of shapes depending on what is most conducive for the intended job.

Engineers of shell and tube heat exchangers need to consider several components of construction:

A smaller tube diameter enables the shell & tube exchanger to be economical and compact, yet a tiny diameter can facilitate malfunction and difficulty of cleaning. Larger tubing can be instituted to eradicate potential flow and cleaning problems. Engineers must factor cost, space, and the propensity of liquids to foul when constructing a heat exchanger.

Tube thickness is important to make sure there is room for corrosion; vibration existing in the product has resistance; and, the shell and tube exchanger can withstand pressure coming from both in and outside of its internal tubes.

Folding or wrinkling the inner tubes increases the flow of the liquid, which facilitates the transfer of heat, producing better performance from the exchanger.

Designers also consider the layout of the inner tubes. Tubes can be fashioned in a triangular, square, rotated square, or rotated triangular fashion. Particular, internal designs are conducive to specific jobs and the elimination of potential problems such as fouling of the liquid.

Shell and tube heat exchanger also host baffle components. Baffles serve several purposes such as holding the tube bundles in place; making sure tubes do not sag or vibrate; and, facilitating fluid flow.

Why Use a Tube Bundle?

Many people are not aware of what it is but the tube bundle is basically a group of tubes which are tied with each other by rods amidst the shell & tube heat exchangers. These bundles can in handy during the heat exchange process on a large scale. This has many high end benefits in both the short and the long run. However, individuals should be aware of what it does and does not offer in the long run. Generally, this bundle is found in this particular heat exchanger due to the fact that it contains a wide range of tubes in the first place.

High End Cleaning
Since the tube bundle consists of a wide range of many tubes that are tied with each other through rods, it is fairly easy to clean. These can be cleaned through many different ways, and one of the most effective ones includes chemical cleaning. As tubes are narrow and long, the cleanliness process does not only take a short period of time, but it is also rather easy to manage in comparison of the cleanliness of other heavy and complex equipment. These tubes can be easily cleaned off without having to make them clogged in the process; which is precisely why using shell & tube heat exchangers has been highly recommended to everyone.

Accuracy & Productivity
The tube bundle within shell & tube heat exchangers also tends to increase the overall productivity in the process of heat transfer. This is due to the fact that these tubes are special and has been constructed in such a way which not only does increase heat efficiency, but it also increases productivity in the long run. Due to these reasons, the bundle has become a requirement for shell & tube heat exchangers and will always be due to the benefits it has to offer in terms of the transfer of heat for various industrial applications and everything as such.
Heat Efficient
On the other hand, the matter of heat efficiency stands undisputed as one of the most major reasons for actually using heat exchangers. With the help of a tube bundle, the efficiency of heat tends to increase by a long shot, which makes the overall process much more productive and fully fulfills the requirements in the overall procedure of heat transfer. In shell & tube heat exchangers, this bundle has been specifically manufactured for this very purpose, and it most definitely fulfills that in both the short as well as the long run.
Easy Installation
It is much, much simpler to install tube bundles than it is to install other types of wires and tubes. Most of the installation has to be done underground since the tubes have to be buried in certain cases. Of course, in the case of the shell and heat exchanger, the installation has to be done inside a machine – a much more congested area. The simplicity of tube bundles is that they are not twisted but are made in a straight parallel design which makes their placement much easier. One does not have to find small places in nooks and crannies to install the appliance. One large space will be sufficient.
Tubing materials
Most tubing companies order a number of different materials for creating tube bundles. Manufacturers realize that different consumers of tube bindles require different types of materials for their tubes. Thus, they offer a number of different ones to choose from. For example, one can choose to buy a tube bundle made up of silica lined steel or stainless steel. In the case of high heat transfer, one can even use copper to get it constructed. Other materials include zinc and aluminum.

Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger By Heatec Holdings

We design and manufacture Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger to meet any size and pressure constraints, while achieving maximum heat transfer with increased lifespan and efficiency. Our expertises include manufacturing and fabricating whole range of materials from Low Temp, Stainless Steel, Duplex, Super Duplex, CuNi to clad materials.

Our heat exchange’s are able to meet the stringent requirements of any certification party (e.g, BV, DNV, and ABS) and are able to comply with ASME, API 660 and TEMA standards. We are also a approved manufacturer for NKK Class.

Contact us

We value your feedback and it will allow us to better understand our customers, investors, communities and suppliers.

We sincerely hope that the information made available on this website fulfills your needs, and we will strive to provide you with the best service.


Principal Office
Heatec Jietong Pte. Ltd.
10 Tuas South Street 15,
Singapore 637076
Tel:  +65 6861 1433
Fax: +65 6861 1347
Email: admin@heatec.com.sg

Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil Coolers

Oil coolers perform the duty of removing surplus heat from oils, especially in vehicles that require constant performance. One of the major jobs of oil cooler is to ensure that the heat from the combustion engine does not overpower its performance. It also has to make sure that the heat does not fall below a certain level required for the car or vehicle to function. There are many other methods to cool down the atmosphere inside the car and people can employ the ones they like. Thus, there are many benefits and drawbacks to using oil coolers instead of other methods.

Oil cooler use oil instead of water to cool down the atmosphere and since the boiling point or temperature of oil is much higher than that of water, it can be used readily to cool things down. It will be able to perform its duties better due to this fact. Water usually boils at a hundred degrees but starts getting warmer much earlier. An oil cooler will stay cooler for a longer period of time. Some pressurized water coolers may be able to surpass the performance pelted out by oil coolers but that is usually much more expensive and costly.

Moreover, the problem with using water coolers is the fact that water is considered to be a conductor of electricity – and a very good one at that. If people use water coolers, there is a huge chance that some parts of the vehicle that work on electricity may come in contact with water and cause irreparable harm. To counter this, many people install separate coolers for the electric components in inside their appliances. An oil cooler, on the other hand, can be used to cool every single part of the equipment or appliance since it is an electricity insulator and can come in contact with electric components.

Another drawback to using water coolers is the amount of corrosion the cooler is likely to cause in the engine when it travels around. On the other hand, an oil cooler will actively work against corrosion and one will also not need to ensure that they regularly put oil on different components in the machine as oil will be running all over anyway. Thus, as opposed to water, oil is a much safer and better option. It will increase the working age of the vehicle and make it less rusty. Oil leaking in to parts will not cause much harm to anyone but water leakage may prove to be beyond deadly.

Since there are so many plus points to using oil coolers, there are many disadvantages as well. First up, it is not likely that the oil will cool anything over three hundred degrees because at that point, the oil will begin reaching its boiling point. Instead of making the individual parts in the equipment better, it will end up making the parts rusty and may leave behind ashy solids that can hamper the discourse of the vehicle. An oil cooler, therefore, is good up until a certain point. After that, it ceases to be anything extraordinary. It cannot work in every condition.

Lastly, oil coolers run with oil which can easily be degraded, become harmful to the parts in the vehicle and reduce the performance capability of the vehicle. On the other hand, water will not degrade – it may boil away or steam up but it will not become harmful to the vehicle itself. Also, oil may not conduct electricity but it is highly flammable; if the vehicle catches fire, it can prove to be very dangerous for the people travelling within because it can result in a huge blast. 

More marine services for oil coolers, click here.

Significance of Shell & Tube Exchangers

Majorly used for high pressure applications within plants and everything as such, shell & tube are the types of heat exchangers that are being used for many industrial applications in the present times. These are not only highly efficient, but they are also effective in terms of heat transfer at all times. Individuals who wish to know everything there is about these heat exchangers should be aware of the fact that they are available in different lengths, sizes as well as diameters. Therefore, checking those out is definitely recommended before purchasing one for future use.

Description & History of Shell & Tube

Mostly, the shell & tube heat exchangers are made of carbon steel and copper tubes in general. These allow swift and very effective transferal of heat and have been used for this particular task since a long period of time now. Due to their effectiveness in the process, these come in handy for high pressure applications as well, which is what makes them a very unique commodity that can be found on high end plants of different industries these days. Moreover, these are also used for liquid of steam and steam to liquid applications, whenever needed. Therefore, it can be easily said that they have many uses, all of which are unique in their own way.

Shell & tube heat exchangers have been around since a very long period of time. While many people may be thinking that is has been over a couple of years, these heat exchangers have been used by men for more than one-fifty years, which shows how accurate, efficient and effective they are and always have been in the process of the transferal of heat and much more. Manufacturers of various commodities may find themselves investing in these heat exchangers due to the fact that they are immensely durable and come in handy in the long run.

Industrial Uses

On the other hand, the major uses of shell & tube include processing heat removal, liquid and steam, liquid and gas cooling, steam condensing and much more. Moreover, it is also widely used for lube oil cooling on a large scale. All of these industrial applications require these heat exchangers in order for the process to go smoothly and rather quickly. Turbine as well as engine cooling is another very prominent application of these heat exchangers that many manufacturers have been taking advantage of since a very long time. While there are many other prominent applications of these heat exchangers, these are the most common ones that are being used in the present times.

Less Expensive

Another very important thing for people to be aware of is the fact that these are much cheaper in comparison with all the other types of heat exchangers out there. This allows manufacturers to save a lot of money in the process of purchasing them, only to use them for significant and high end industrial uses in both the short and long run. As a part of cooling down different types of commodities, these are by far the best and the most efficient, specifically on the price they are available at.

Conclusion

These are also much easier to use in comparison with other air cooler and heat exchangers in general. Therefore, due to all that they have to offer in in the near future, these are highly recommended for all manufactures who wish to have the perfect heat exchangers for different industrial uses. From oil cooling, to gas cooling and much more, these air cooled heat exchanger actually tend to carry out all of this for individuals who are interested in fulfilling these tasks on a day to day basis. The best part is that their capacity can always be increased. 

Features of Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers

Shell & tube are the types of heat exchangers that are used in many high end industrial applications these days. While these are used for many different reasons, one of the most prominent ones is that they allow the transfer of heat and ensure seamless use in the long run. There are other kinds of heat exchangers as well, but these are special in their own way, which is why all those who are willing to purchase these should be aware of their features beforehand. A very important thing to do is to conduct a good amount of research on these heat exchangers.

Heat Efficiency/Rate

The heat efficiency of the shell & tube heat exchangers is said to be rather low in comparison with all the other types of heat exchangers. This is both beneficial and not so much, as well. However, individuals who are looking for heat exchangers that have low heat efficiency cannot find something better than these ones as they are truly very efficient and effective, too. Their heat efficiency can be increased but not by a long shot, so these actually make the perfect heat exchangers where less heat efficiency is required for a specific task.

Assembly

On the other hand, the shell & tube heat exchangers are rather complex in comparison with other kinds of heat exchangers. This is due to the fact that their assembly is not as easy. With a lot of connections, bolts as well as tubes to assemble, it may take up some time. However, the best part is that the disassembling is not nearly as difficult as one may expect it to be. Therefore, making these heat exchangers the best for anyone who wishes to use them for both commercial as well as industrial uses in the near future.

Cost & Installation

Another feature of the shell & tube heat exchangers that individuals should be aware of is the fact that they are of high cost usually. However, with the initial cost being high, it is completely worth it in the long run since these last for a long period of time because of the fact that they have high end durability. Since they are not deteriorated easily, it means that the initial investment being high does not matter as much – since it is a good investment in the long run. Using these heat exchangers may as well cost a lot in the first place but it definitely provides the best possible results in all applications.

Weight & Size

The size and weight of shell & tube heat exchangers is normally high, which is another feature of this equipment that individuals should be aware of before investing in it for good. Due to the fact that it weighs more, it is used for higher end industrial applications. With their heat transferal properties, these heat exchangers come in handy for all kinds of processes that require immediate or long-term exchange of heat. However, as their weight is more than the other sorts of heat exchangers, their installation costs will be higher as well but those are, as always, eventually covered in the long run.

Efficient Chemical Cleaning

The best part is the fact that these heat exchangers can be cleaned as well, most importantly, through chemical cleaning. The process has to be done carefully, but it eventually brings out positive results in a short period of time. These heat exchangers are being sued by many high end industries as well as in other sectors; therefore, those who wish to purchase these should most definitely c heck out their features in the first see in order to see what they are paying for, and all the benefits they offer.   

About Heatec Holding.

Our subsidiary company, Heatec Jietong, has been providing heat transfer solutions to the marine industry since 1990s. Our customers are worldwide, including the major shipyards, ship owners, ship managers and ship charterers etc. With this global clientele, our product and services extend across the globe, enabling our customers to operate their vessels efficiently.

Important Parts of a Tube Bundle & their Uses

A tube bundle is used for many reasons, and one of the most important ones includes heat exchange in various commodities. These bundles are available in a wide range of different sizes, diameters, shapes, materials as well as designs. Choosing the most appropriate one depends on whichever industrial application it has to be used for in the first place, which has to be decided by the user. There are many parts of these bundles, all of which are unique in their own way and without them; these bundles tend to not work as efficiently as they do otherwise.

Tubesheet Material

Being a part of the tube bundle, the tubesheet thickness is something that can be easily measured. While the thickness may vary always, individuals who wish to use these bundles can always select the type of tubesheet thickness which suits them best and that usually tends to depend on the type of application it is being used for. The diameter can also be checked without having to face any issue and for those who are interested in knowing the actually thickness of the tubesheet which is majorly found in these bundles, it varies from 5” to 3” thick at best.

Presence of Bolt Holes

On the other hand, these bundles also are inclusive of bolt holes which can be found in abundance. People should be aware of the fact that the bolt holes always tend to go around the tubesheet and on through it, which is a common misconception amongst a lot of individuals who decide to use the tube bundle for a variety of different reasons. However, some of these bundles many have bolt holes and on the other hand, some may as well not have them too. Although knowing the size of the bolt holes present in these bundles along with their sizes and length is exceptionally important.

Materials of the Tube

Individuals going ahead in order to use a tube bundle should always check out the tube materials beforehand. This basically ensures the material that has been used in the manufacturing of the bundles in the first place. Mostly, they are made of cooper and that is easy enough to find. However, in case these ones are not available for some reason, there is a wide range of other tube materials which are available for the convenience of users. These materials generally are inclusive of carbon steel, titanium, cupro-nickel and many more which are equally as effective.

Type of Tubes

While some bundles are straight tube whereas the other ones are “U”. U tubes as well as straight tubes are significant in their own way and are used for various reasons and industrial applications. Choosing whichever is needed usually depends but they both are most likely to come in handy. Recognizing these different kinds of a tube bundle is exceptionally easy as the straight ones are rather plain and quite in symmetry whereas the U tubes are literally in the shape of a U – which is very easy to spot. The more commonly used type of tubes is the U ones, since they are more easily available and beneficial in comparison with the straight ones.

Thickness of Tubes

The thickness of the tube is another factor that should be checked out before buying these bundles for any sort of uses, particularly for heat exchange. Certain standards of tube thickness have been set for people to see and decide which one they prefer more. The thickness of tubes actually makes the outer walls heavy, making the bundles much more solid and efficient in the long run. For all that these bundles have to offer, these should definitely be used for heat exchange and all the industrial uses related to it in general.



Heatec Holdings offers services for thermal design, ultrasonic cleaning, and tube u-bundle for marine sectors

Fresh water generator – Invention of the century

The earth is seventy percent water and though it may seem that there is water everywhere, only three percent of this water is fresh water and drinkable and the rest is all salty water which is not fit for drinking. Years ago, old cargo ships were required to carry huge supplies of fresh water for their crew when departing upon a long voyage. If there were a ship that would run out of water for drinking, it would be carrying a very miserable crew indeed. However, this has changed thanks to technology as in today’s era; almost all commercial ships are equipped with a fresh water generator. A fresh water generator is basically a kind of evaporator that converts salty sea water into water that is drinkable and fresh.

The whole idea behind a fresh water generator is actually quite simple. It serves the purpose of evaporating sea water with the use of a source of heat in order to separate the pure water from the salt, sediment and other elements. A diesel engine is usually used by fresh water generators as the heat source. However steam can also be used to serve the same purpose. Since fresh water generators often make use of existing heat in order to run, the cost of operation of these machines is quite low.

The fresh water generator has two main elements which are the heat exchanger and the condenser respectively. The heat exchanger serves the purpose of evaporating the water and the condenser condenses the fresh water vapor, turning it into water that is drinkable. The condenser is the element that cools down the vapor which is simply done by using cold sea water to cool the outside of the machine.

Fresh water generators should include a feature that can be used to monitor or check the salinity of the water that is processed. If the salinity were to exceed a particular level, which is usually between one and ten parts per million (ppm), the unit would automatically take the water back to the feed line so as to run it through the complete cycle again.

Fresh water generators these days are increasingly being used in desalination plants. These are usually and typically located in coastal areas and serve the purpose of providing the local community with fresh drinking water. They have become quite common in some communities of California as well as in the Middle East. As a response to drought as well as the concern over the availability of water in the growing number of cities, more and more desalination plants are likely to be built in the near future. 

One drawback though is that the costs that are involved in these desalination plants are quite high and so they are considered by communities only in those situations where they are faced with shortages of water from the sources that are traditional. So this poses a problem when the construction of desalination plants is given a thought as people only build them when needed.

In passenger and merchant ships, the application of fresh water generator becomes even more important and crucial. 

The ship based fresh water generator uses heat from ship’s engine and salt water from the sea and makes it drinkable through either evaporation method mentioned above or through the reverse osmosis process that is more expensive but produces bulk amount of drinkable water essential for drinking, washing and consumption of masses. All in all, the fresh water generator may end up preventing a world war by providing drinkable water made from all the water in the world thus eliminating the scarcity of this precious life source.