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The working principle of a tubular heat exchanger

Time2024-12-25

Tube-type heat exchanger
TubePipe-type heat exchangerEach section of the tube is called a 'stage', with the inner pipe (heat transfer pipe) connected via U-shaped elbow pipes, while the outer pipe is connected in sequence with short pipes and fixed to a bracket. Heat is transferred from one fluid to another through the wall of the inner pipe. Typically, the hot fluid (Fluid A) is introduced from the top, while the cold fluid (Fluid B) is introduced from the bottom. The ends of the inner and outer pipes are connected to each other by welding or flanges. The inner pipe and U-shaped elbow pipes are often connected by flanges for easy cleaning and adjustment of the heat transfer pipes. The effective length of each heat transfer pipe is taken as 4 to 7 meters. This type of heat exchanger has a maximum heat transfer area of up to 18 square meters, making it suitable for small capacity heat exchange.
Advantages: Simple structure, can withstand high pressure. The heat transfer area can be adjusted as needed, making it convenient to use.
Disadvantages: Many joints between pipes, prone to leakage. Occupies a large area, with a high metal consumption per unit heat transfer area.
Jacketed heat exchanger
Installed on the outer wall of a container, forming a space between the jacket and the container that serves as a passage for heating or cooling media. However, its heating surface is limited by the container wall, and the heat transfer coefficient is not high. To improve the heat transfer coefficient and ensure uniform heating of the liquid inside the container, a stirrer can be installed inside the container. When cooling water or non-phase-changing heating agents are introduced into the jacket, spiral baffles or other measures to increase turbulence can also be set up in the jacket to enhance the heating coefficient on one side of the jacket.
Advantages: Simple structure, easy processing.
Disadvantages: Small heat transfer area, low heat transfer efficiency.
Plate-fin heat exchanger
The plate-fin heat exchanger is a more efficient, compact, and lightweight type of heat exchanger. In the past, due to high manufacturing costs, it was only used in a few sectors such as aerospace, electronics, and atomic energy. It has now gradually been used in petrochemical and other industrial sectors. There are many structural forms of plate-fin heat exchangers, but their basic components are similar; that is, corrugated or other shaped metal fins are added between two parallel thin metal plates, sealing both sides to form a basic heat exchange component.
Advantages: High heat transfer efficiency, good temperature control.
Fins are very thin, compact structure, small volume.
Fins serve both as heat transfer surfaces and support structures with high strength.
Disadvantages: Narrow flow paths that are prone to blockage and difficult to clean.
Baffles and fins are very thin; media must not corrode aluminum; if corrosion occurs, internal leakage is difficult to repair.
Complex structure increases difficulty in design.

Keyword: The working principle of a tubular heat exchanger

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