Industrial processes that require a fluid to be heated or cooled most likely use some form of tube heat exchanger. These devices are commonly used by producers because they are inexpensive and extremely reliable. The simplicity of their construction and the absence of moving parts makes them ideal for applications that require the removal or addition of heat. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Enerquip Thermal Solutions
Medford, WI | 715-748-5888Enerquip is your trusted shell and tube heat exchanger partner. Our in-house, thermal design engineers and ASME welders and fabricators can design and build custom engineered solutions for your company’s specific needs. Our experience and expertise have earned us a preferred supplier status with leading companies in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, cannabis, personal care, chemical, refining, and renewable energy markets. When you need a solution that is guaranteed to work, trust the helpful heat exchanger experts at Enerquip.
Mason Manufacturing LLC
Decatur, IL | 217-422-2770Mason Manufacturing is a custom fabricator of shell and tube heat exchangers, ASME pressure vessels, columns, and tanks. Located in Decatur, Illinois, Mason has over 60 years of experience providing customers with custom fabricated vessels that conform to customer specifications, applicable codes, accepted industry standards and that are consistently shipped on time with competitive pricing. It’s our promise.
AIC Inc.
Oakville, ON | 888-738-1350Advanced Industrial Components Inc. (AIC) is a heat exchanger manufacturer specializing in a broad range and selection of quality heat transfer products. AIC heat exchanger product lines range from shell and tube heat exchangers, and brazed plate heat exchangers, to stainless steel indirect water heaters. Contact AIC to learn more about our diverse heat exchanger product lines.
Yula Corporation
Bronx, NY | 718-991-0900Yula has been an engineer and fabricator of quality sanitary, industrial and process heat exchangers since 1926. Because Yula custom manufactures its heat exchangers, your project can be designed with or without features and options according to your particular requirements. Let us quote you today.
Thermofin
Candiac, QC | 450-444-4405Since 1993, Thermofin has designed, manufactured and marketed a large range of high quality heat transfer products. Over the years, Thermofin has become one of Canada’s main heat exchanger manufacturer and one of North America’s leading manufacturer of extruded aluminum finned tubes. Our company is more than a heat exchanger manufacturer or designer. We are a team of efficiency-driven heat exchanger creators who will work with you to find a solution for your application. Contact us today to learn more!
Hayden Industrial Products
Corona, CA | 800-854-4757Hayden Industrial Products is a full-line ISO 9001 and ASME-certified manufacturer of heat exchangers designed specifically for industrial applications. A unique mix of product designs and manufacturing capabilities supports the demands of power generation, construction, fluid power and other industries.
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.
