Choosing a heat exchanger that meets standards from the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA)® is a critical step to achieve optimal functionality. Explore the numerous industrial heat exchangers and how to select the right option.
Non-Removable Bundle, Fixed Tubesheet
This type of heat exchanger is perfect for high-pressure services and avoiding leakage issues at gasketed joints. The tubesheet is fixed because it is welded to the shell and users are unable to remove the bundle.
Advantages
Benefits of selecting the non-removable bundle include:
- More affordable option compared to costly removable bundle heat exchangers
- Offers multi-tube pass arrangements
- Allows users to transfer the maximum heat surface based on the shell and tube size
Limitations
Non-removable bundles offer limitations worth considering:
- Users require chemical cleaning methods to maintain the shell side
- Lack of provisions to correct the differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell
Selection Tips
When considering a non-removable bundle, ask the following questions:
- Is reducing leakage issues a priority?
- Are high-pressure applications required?
Removable Bundle, Packed Floating Tubesheet
Removable bundles are convenient for removing or replacing the tube bundle without replacing the bonnets or shell. This heat exchanger type is typically straight and used as aftercoolers and intercoolers with gas on the tube side.
Advantages
These removable bundles offer valuable benefits:
- User may choose to steam or mechanically clean the shell side
- The floating end creates space for differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell
- Users can easily repair and replace bundles
- Removable designs offer maximum surface according to the shell and tube size
Limitations
A few areas that limit the packed floating tubesheet’s functionality include:
- Users may only apply nonvolatile and nontoxic shell side fluids like lube oils and hydraulic oils
- Tubes expand together rather than individually
- The bundle limits tube side arrangements to one or two passes
Selection Tips
Here is some advice to keep in mind while considering this heat exchanger:
- The tube side works best with applications that fall between 75-450 psi design pressure
- Consider if current applications influence a design temperature of between 20 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit
Removable Bundle, Pull-Through Bolted Inter Floating Head Cover
This pull-through design feature allows users to pull the tube bundle through the shell entirely for replacement and service, and a floating head is established to reduce thermal stresses.
Advantages
Gain numerous advantages with a pull-through bolted heat exchanger:
- Accounts for differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell
- Allows for multi-tube pass arrangements
- Handles toxic and flammable fluid exceptionally well
Limitations
Some factors limit this removable bundle’s functionality, including:
- Less surface space per shell and tube size
- Among the most costly heat exchangers with a basic design
Selection Tips
Aspects to keep in mind when choosing this type of heat exchanger include:
- It is suitable for chemical applications that include toxic and flammable fluids
- Make sure the pull-through design is compatible with the high pressures or temperatures of current applications
Removable Bundle, Internal Clamp Ring-Type Floating Head Cover
The removable bundle with an internal clamp ring-type design can be a great option for companies that need to remove the tube bundle regularly.
Advantages
Here are the main benefits of choosing an internal clamp ring-type heat exchanger:
- Allows users to handle toxic and flammable fluid
- Enables differential thermal expansion between the shell and the tubes
- Offers multi-tube pass arrangements
Limitations
Some limitations of the internal clamp ring-type floating head covers include:
- More costly than U-tube or fixed tubesheet heat exchanger designs
- Users must remove the clamp ring, shell cover and floating head cover before removing the bundle, increasing maintenance costs
Selection Tips
This heat exchanger might be ideal if the following applies:
- Applications require special gas aftercoolers and intercoolers
- The user mostly does chemical processing applications for toxic fluids
Removable Bundle, U-Tube
The U-tube design gives each tube the ability to contract and expand independently without harming the tubesheet and shell, like straight tubes might when they heat up at different temperatures and rates.
Advantages
Key advantages of selecting the U-tube removable bundle include:
- Provides multi-tube pass arrangements
- Offers differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell and between individual tubes
- More affordable than packed floating and floating head tubesheet designs
- Ability to withstand thermal shock
Limitations
The U-tube heat exchanger has important limitations to consider:
- Unable to meet true counter-current flow
- The U-bend’s tube wall is thinner than the straight parts of the tube
- Challenging to drain the tube side when in a vertical position
Selection Tips
Ask the following questions to decide if this heat exchanger is the right one:
- Is it necessary to execute maximum thermal expansion applications?
- Is it a priority to find an economical heat exchanger?
Removable Partition Plates With Compression Endplates and Frame
This design involves the assembly of the plate pack between a pressure plate and frame plate, compressed with tightening bolts. With the gasket fitted to the plates, the plate corrugation directs the fluids and supports them against differential pressure.
Advantages
Removable partition plates offer worthwhile benefits like:
- More affordable with reduced installation, maintenance and operational costs
- Less wear, fouling, corrosion and stress
- Precision heat transfer with true counter-current flow
Limitations
Some limitations when selecting these removable partition plates include:
- Less compact than brazed plates
- Only suitable for pressures under 300 psig
Selection Tips
Removable partition plates are ideal in the following scenarios:
- Industries like power generation, engine cooling, chemical processing, dairy and food production, and oil production
- Applications involving temperature crossing
- Economical choice when users require exotic metals
Brazed Plates
Brazed plates are a durable, compact and efficient solution for transferring heat in refrigeration, HVAC and industrial applications.
Choosing a heat exchanger that meets standards from the Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA)® is a critical step to achieve optimal functionality. Explore the numerous industrial heat exchangers and how to select the right option.
Non-Removable Bundle, Fixed Tubesheet
This type of heat exchanger is perfect for high-pressure services and avoiding leakage issues at gasketed joints. The tubesheet is fixed because it is welded to the shell and users are unable to remove the bundle.
Advantages
Benefits of selecting the non-removable bundle include:
- More affordable option compared to costly removable bundle heat exchangers
- Offers multi-tube pass arrangements
- Allows users to transfer the maximum heat surface based on the shell and tube size
Limitations
Non-removable bundles offer limitations worth considering:
- Users require chemical cleaning methods to maintain the shell side
- Lack of provisions to correct the differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell
Selection Tips
When considering a non-removable bundle, ask the following questions:
- Is reducing leakage issues a priority?
- Are high-pressure applications required?
Removable Bundle, Packed Floating Tubesheet
Removable bundles are convenient for removing or replacing the tube bundle without replacing the bonnets or shell. This heat exchanger type is typically straight and used as aftercoolers and intercoolers with gas on the tube side.
Advantages
These removable bundles offer valuable benefits:
- User may choose to steam or mechanically clean the shell side
- The floating end creates space for differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell
- Users can easily repair and replace bundles
- Removable designs offer maximum surface according to the shell and tube size
Limitations
A few areas that limit the packed floating tubesheet’s functionality include:
- Users may only apply nonvolatile and nontoxic shell side fluids like lube oils and hydraulic oils
- Tubes expand together rather than individually
- The bundle limits tube side arrangements to one or two passes
Selection Tips
Here is some advice to keep in mind while considering this heat exchanger:
- The tube side works best with applications that fall between 75-450 psi design pressure
- Consider if current applications influence a design temperature of between 20 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit
Removable Bundle, Pull-Through Bolted Inter Floating Head Cover
This pull-through design feature allows users to pull the tube bundle through the shell entirely for replacement and service, and a floating head is established to reduce thermal stresses.
Advantages
Gain numerous advantages with a pull-through bolted heat exchanger:
- Accounts for differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell
- Allows for multi-tube pass arrangements
- Handles toxic and flammable fluid exceptionally well
Limitations
Some factors limit this removable bundle’s functionality, including:
- Less surface space per shell and tube size
- Among the most costly heat exchangers with a basic design
Selection Tips
Aspects to keep in mind when choosing this type of heat exchanger include:
- It is suitable for chemical applications that include toxic and flammable fluids
- Make sure the pull-through design is compatible with the high pressures or temperatures of current applications
Removable Bundle, Internal Clamp Ring-Type Floating Head Cover
The removable bundle with an internal clamp ring-type design can be a great option for companies that need to remove the tube bundle regularly.
Advantages
Here are the main benefits of choosing an internal clamp ring-type heat exchanger:
- Allows users to handle toxic and flammable fluid
- Enables differential thermal expansion between the shell and the tubes
- Offers multi-tube pass arrangements
Limitations
Some limitations of the internal clamp ring-type floating head covers include:
- More costly than U-tube or fixed tubesheet heat exchanger designs
- Users must remove the clamp ring, shell cover and floating head cover before removing the bundle, increasing maintenance costs
Selection Tips
This heat exchanger might be ideal if the following applies:
- Applications require special gas aftercoolers and intercoolers
- The user mostly does chemical processing applications for toxic fluids
Removable Bundle, U-Tube
The U-tube design gives each tube the ability to contract and expand independently without harming the tubesheet and shell, like straight tubes might when they heat up at different temperatures and rates.
Advantages
Key advantages of selecting the U-tube removable bundle include:
- Provides multi-tube pass arrangements
- Offers differential thermal expansion between the tubes and shell and between individual tubes
- More affordable than packed floating and floating head tubesheet designs
- Ability to withstand thermal shock
Limitations
The U-tube heat exchanger has important limitations to consider:
- Unable to meet true counter-current flow
- The U-bend’s tube wall is thinner than the straight parts of the tube
- Challenging to drain the tube side when in a vertical position
Selection Tips
Ask the following questions to decide if this heat exchanger is the right one:
- Is it necessary to execute maximum thermal expansion applications?
- Is it a priority to find an economical heat exchanger?
Removable Partition Plates With Compression Endplates and Frame
This design involves the assembly of the plate pack between a pressure plate and frame plate, compressed with tightening bolts. With the gasket fitted to the plates, the plate corrugation directs the fluids and supports them against differential pressure.
Advantages
Removable partition plates offer worthwhile benefits like:
- More affordable with reduced installation, maintenance and operational costs
- Less wear, fouling, corrosion and stress
- Precision heat transfer with true counter-current flow
Limitations
Some limitations when selecting these removable partition plates include:
- Less compact than brazed plates
- Only suitable for pressures under 300 psig
Selection Tips
Removable partition plates are ideal in the following scenarios:
- Industries like power generation, engine cooling, chemical processing, dairy and food production, and oil production
- Applications involving temperature crossing
- Economical choice when users require exotic metals
Brazed Plates
Brazed plates are a durable, compact and efficient solution for transferring heat in refrigeration, HVAC and industrial applications.
