Leading Tube Heat Exchanger Manufacturers

Tube heat exchangers are highly adaptable and can be used for a wide variety of applications. This particular characteristic makes them useable for the heating or cooling of liquids and gases. They are typically used with equipment that generates heat during operation and assist in controlling and removing the heat. This aspect of their operation prevents the rise in heat and keeps the manufacturing process safe.

What is a Tube Heat Exchanger?

When describing a heat exchanger, it is commonly referred to as a shell and tube heat exchanger since both elements of the device work together to cool and heat liquids and gases. The process includes the flow of fluids inside the tubes of the exchanger and the shell. The exchange process happens when a cold fluid enters the shell through the inlet nozzle and exits as a hot fluid.

The transfer of heat in a shell and tube heat exchanger is decided by the exposed surface area and the number of thermally conductive tubes. The variations in the type of flow can be parallel or cross. The number of tubes vary according to the design of the heat exchanger with number of tubes being odd or even depending on the type of tube passes.

How a Tube Heat Exchanger Works

A shell and tube heat exchanger has two basic components, which are the shell and channel, or tubes. The shell side consists of a shell, cover, flange, nozzles, and support. The tube side is made up of the channel, cover, flange, nozzles, tube sheet, and tube bundles. The tubes can be arranged in a variety of geometric configurations, which include triangular, rotate triangular, square, and rotated square.

To create more turbulence and increase the velocity of the flow, a baffle is installed in the shell section. Since it enhances flow time, it creates the better possibility of heat exchange, which makes the heat exchanger more efficient. A further function of the baffle is to serve as support for the tubes to prevent damage and suppress vibrations.

Methods of Classifying Tube Heat Exchangers

Tube heat exchangers are classified by various aspects of the process, the type of flow, and the type of fluids. The first consideration is the operation of the heat exchanger and whether it is recuperative, regenerative, or direct contact. In the recuperative type of exchanger, fluids do not mix. In the regenerative type, the same surface is exposed to hot and cold fluids. Direct contact exchangers have liquids mix and interact.

The next method of classifying tube heat exchangers is the type of flow, which can be co-current, counter current, or cross flow. In the co-current type, hot and cold fluids flow in the same direction and are unidirectional. The reverse of co-current is counter current where fluids flow in opposite directions. The third type of flow is when fluids flow across one another at right angles, which is cross current.

There are any number of functions for heat exchangers that include ones for chillers, heaters, evaporators, coolers, boilers, and condensers. The type of process for a heat exchanger depends on its purpose in the manufacturing process where cooling of equipment may be necessary for some processes while dissipation of heat may be necessary for another process.