Flow-induced vibration in shell-and-tube heat exchangers with double-segmental baffles

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5719397

Halle, H; Chenoweth, J M; Wambsganss, M W

One of the techniques used by designers of shell-and-tube heat exchangers when they encounter a potential flow-induced vibration problem is to shift from a tube bundle with segmental baffles to one with double-segmental baffles. This results in a split of the flow into either half of the shell with lower velocities and the possibility to reduce the unsupported tube span length while keeping below a given allowable pressure drop. Tests performed as a part of a systematic study of water flow-induced vibration in industrial-sized heat exchangers have demonstrated the possibility of exciting vibration in tubes exposed to localized high velocities as a consequence of inherent flow maldistributions in the end zone regions. Results for nine different double-segmental bundle configurations are presented. Comparison with similar results for segmental baffled bundles, where available, indicates that vibration is normally observed at somewhat higher total flows for double-segmental baffled bundles.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA); Heat Transfer Research, Inc., Alhambra, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5719397
• Report Number(s): CONF-860805-3; ON: DE86003064
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
MECHANICS
PRESSURE DROP
TESTING
TUBES