Shell and tube heat exchangers are one of the most widely used heat exchange devices in the industrial field. They have reliable structures and strong adaptability, and are suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure and high-flow working conditions. Its core design is composed of components such as the shell, tube bundle, tube sheet and baffle plate
It consists of components such as the shell, tube bundle, tube sheet, baffle, and head. Each component can be independently designed or replaced (for example, changing the material of the tube bundle to adapt to different media), facilitating maintenance and customization.
Through the use of process separation baffles, multiple process combinations for the tube side (tube side) and the shell side (shell side) can be achieved (such as types 1-2, 2-4). The fluid path and flow rate can be flexibly adjusted to optimize heat transfer efficiency.
The heat transfer area per unit volume is large, and the capacity can be expanded by increasing the length or quantity of the tube bundle. It is suitable for both small-scale and large-scale industrial applications.
The ratio of pressure drop to heat transfer can be optimized by adjusting the pipe diameter, arrangement method (triangle/square), and baffle spacing (for example, the pressure drop in the shell side is usually 10-50 kPa).
Shell and tube heat exchangers and detachable plate heat exchangers are two common types of heat exchange equipment in industry. They have significant differences in structure, working principle, and applicable scenarios. The following is the main comparison between the two:
Comparison Category | Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger | Removable Plate Heat Exchanger |
---|---|---|
Heat Transfer Efficiency | Relatively low (dependent on tube wall conduction) | High (3-5× higher due to turbulent flow induction by corrugated plates) |
Compactness | Larger footprint (requires more installation space | Compact design (50%+ space saving) with higher surface-area-to-volume ratio |
Pressure/Temperature Limits | High pressure (≤30MPa) and extreme temperature tolerance (≥500°C) | Medium pressure (≤2.5MPa) and temperature (≤200°C), limited by gasket materials |
Maintenance & Cleaning | Difficult internal cleaning (requires chemical methods for fouling removal) | Physical disassembly capability enables mechanical cleaning (e.g., plate brushing) |
Leakage Risk | Minimal leakage points (welded tube-to-tubesheet connections) | Higher risk from gasket aging (typical service life 5-8 years) |
Cost | High initial material cost (thick-walled tubes/shells), lower lifetime maintenance cost | Lower upfront investment, but recurring gasket replacement costs (≈15-20% of initial price) |
Fluid Compatibility | Suitable for high-viscosity fluids (e.g., crude oil) and particle-containing media | Restricted to clean, low-viscosity fluids (e.g., water-glycol) due to narrow flow channels |
Shell and tube heat exchangers are one of the most widely used heat exchange devices in the industrial field. They have reliable structures and strong adaptability, and are suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure and high-flow working conditions. Its core design is composed of components such as the shell, tube bundle, tube sheet and baffle plate
Shell and tube heat exchangers are one of the most widely used heat exchange devices in the industrial field. They have reliable structures and strong adaptability, and are suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure and high-flow working conditions. Its core design is composed of components such as the shell, tube bundle, tube sheet and baffle plate
Shell and tube heat exchangers are one of the most widely used heat exchange devices in the industrial field. They have reliable structures and strong adaptability, and are suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure and high-flow working conditions. Its core design is composed of components such as the shell, tube bundle, tube sheet and baffle plate
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