| Shell and tube heat exchangers are known as the work-horse of the chemical process industry and represent the most widely used vehicle for transfer of heat in industrial applications. In essence, a shell and tube exchanger is a pressure vessel with many tubes inside of it. One process fluids flows through the tubes of the exchanger while the other fluid flows outside of the tubes within the shell. The tube side and shell side fluids are separated by a tube sheet. Shell and tube exchangers can be configured for liquid-liquid, gas-liquid, condensing, or vaporizing heat transfer. Shell and tube heat exchangers have the ability to transfer large amounts of heat in relatively low cost, serviceable designs. They can provide large amounts of effective heat transfer surface while minimizing the requirements of floor space, liquid volume and weight. Shell and tube heat exchangers are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations. They have been used in industry for over 150 years, so the thermal technologies and manufacturing methods are well defined. Tube surfaces from standard to exotic metals with plain or enhanced surface characteristics are widely available. They often provide the least costly mechanical design for the flows, liquids and temperatures associated with a particular process. |
