A shell and tube heat exchanger consists of a shell, heat transfer tube bundle, tube sheet, baffle plate (baffle), and channel. The shell is mostly cylindrical with a tube bundle inside, and the two ends of the tube bundle are fixed on the tubesheet. There are two types of heat transfer fluids: hot fluid and cold fluid. One is the fluid inside the tube, called the tube side fluid; Another type is the fluid outside the pipe, called the shell side fluid.

 

 

1. What is Shell?

The shell serves as the outer housing of the heat exchanger. It contains one of the fluid streams and is typically constructed from materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or other alloys depending on the application and operating conditions.

 

2. What is Tube Bundle?

The tube bundle is the core component of the heat exchanger where heat transfer occurs. It consists of a series of tubes through which one fluid flows while the other fluid flows around the outside of the tubes. The tubes can be straight or bent, and they are usually made of materials such as copper, stainless steel, or titanium.

 

3. What is Tubesheet?

The tubesheet is a thick metal plate located at both ends of the tube bundle. It serves to support and secure the tubes in place, providing a leak-proof seal between the tube bundle and the shell.

 

4. What are Baffles?

Baffles are plates or spacers placed inside the shell to direct the flow of the shell-side fluid. They promote turbulence in the fluid flow, which enhances heat transfer efficiency by increasing the mixing of the fluid. Baffles also help to support the tubes and prevent vibration.

 

5. What is Baffle Plate?

The baffle plate is a large plate attached to the inner wall of the shell. It supports the baffles and helps to guide the flow of the shell-side fluid through the heat exchanger.

 

6. What is Front Channel and Rear Channel?

These are the spaces between the baffles where the shell-side fluid flows around the tube bundle. The front channel is located near the inlet of the shell-side fluid, while the rear channel is located near the outlet.

 

7. What is Tube Side Connection?

These are the inlet and outlet connections for the fluid flowing through the tubes. They allow the tube-side fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanger.

 

8. What is Shell Side Connection?

These are the inlet and outlet connections for the fluid flowing around the outside of the tubes. They allow the shell-side fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanger.

 

9. What is Vent?

The vent is an opening on the shell of the heat exchanger used to remove trapped air or gases during startup or operation. It ensures proper operation and prevents air pockets from interfering with heat transfer.

 

10. What is Drain?

The drain is an opening on the shell or tubesheet used to remove liquid from the heat exchanger. It is typically used for maintenance purposes or for draining the system during shutdowns.

 

11. What is Expansion Joint?

An expansion joint is a flexible element installed in the shell or tube bundle to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. It prevents damage to the heat exchanger caused by temperature fluctuations.

 

12. What are Heat Exchanger Legs?

Legs are support structures attached to the bottom of the heat exchanger to elevate it above the ground or other surfaces. They provide stability and facilitate installation and maintenance.

 

13. Lifting Lug?

Lifting lugs are welded to the shell of the heat exchanger and used for lifting and handling during installation or maintenance.

 

14. Reinforcing Pad?

Reinforcing pads are additional material welded to the shell or other components to strengthen areas subjected to high stress or pressure, such as nozzle connections.

 

These components work together to facilitate efficient heat transfer between the two fluid streams while ensuring structural integrity, reliability, and safety of the heat exchanger. 

 

Wuxi Changrun has provided high-quality tube sheets, nozzles, flanges, and customized forgings for heat exchangers, boilers, pressure vessels, etc. to many well-known petrochemical enterprises at home and abroad. Our customers include PetroChina, Sinopec, Chevron, Bayer, Shell, BASF, etc. Send your drawings to sales@wuxichangrun.com We will provide you with the best quotation and the highest quality products.

What is heat exchanger baffle?

A heat exchanger baffle is a plate or barrier that is inserted into a heat exchanger to enhance heat transfer efficiency. The primary function of a baffle is to direct the flow of fluid inside the heat exchanger in a specific pattern, such as cross-flow or counter-flow, to maximize heat transfer.

 

Baffles are commonly used in shell and tube heat exchangers, which consist of a bundle of tubes enclosed in a shell. The baffles are placed inside the shell, perpendicular to the tube bundle, and divide the shell into several chambers. The fluid flows through the tubes and is directed by the baffles through each chamber, which increases the time the fluid spends in contact with the tube surface, thereby enhancing heat transfer efficiency.

 

 

 

The types of baffle plates

The design and placement of baffles in a heat exchanger depend on the specific application requirements, including the type of fluid being heated or cooled, the flow rate, temperature, and pressure, and the desired heat transfer rate. The size, shape, and thickness of the baffles may also vary depending on the application. The baffle plate is installed on the shell side, which can not only improve heat transfer efficiency but also play a role in supporting the tube bundle. There are two types of baffles: arched and disc-shaped. Arched baffles are available in three types: single arched, double arched, and triple arched.

 

 

What is the function of a baffle?

1. Extend the flow channel length of the shell side medium, increase the flow velocity between tubes, increase the degree of turbulence, and achieve the goal of improving the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger.

 

2. Setting baffle plates has a certain supporting effect on the heat exchange tubes of horizontal heat exchangers. When the heat exchange tube is too long and the pressure stress borne by the tube is too high, increasing the number of baffle plates and reducing the spacing between baffle plates while meeting the allowable pressure drop of the heat exchanger tube side can play a certain role in alleviating the stress situation of the heat exchange tube and preventing fluid flow induced vibration.

 

3. Setting baffle plates is beneficial for the installation of heat exchange tubes.

 

 

 

Heat exchange baffles can be made of various materials, such as stainless steel baffle plates, carbon steel baffle plates, or titanium baffle plates, depending on the corrosive or erosive nature of the fluid being processed. In some cases, baffles may also have holes or slots to allow for more fluid flow and heat transfer.

 

Wuxi Changrun has provided high-quality baffle plate, tube sheets, nozzles, flanges, and customized forgings for heat exchangers, boilers, pressure vessels, etc. to many well-known petrochemical enterprises at home and abroad. Our customers include PetroChina, Sinopec, Chevron, Bayer, Shell, BASF, etc. Send your drawings to sales@wuxichangrun.com We will provide you with the best quotation and the highest quality products.