Tube vibration in industrial size test heat exchanger (pitch-to-diameter ratio 1. 42)

Technical Report · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6514642

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

Continuing an ongoing experimental program, typical industrial shell-and-tube heat exchanger configurations were investigated systematically for the occurrence of potentially damaging tube vibration as a function of flowrate. Results from shellside water flow tests of nine additional exchanger configurations are reported. Eight test cases covered tube bundles with four different triangular and square layouts with a pitch-to-diameter ratio (P/D) of 1.42 to provide comparison with previous P/D = 1.25 tests. Two baffle edge orientations were tested. An additional test case involved a design fix. The testing focused on identifying the lowest critical flowrates that initiate fluidelastic instability and/or large amplitude tube motion, and finding the location within the bundle of the tubes where these responses were first experienced. The threshold flowrates were determined by a combination of methods based on sensory observations, vibration amplitude data, and frequency response information. Instability criteria were preliminarily evaluated. Overall shellside pressure drop and incremental pressure drops across sections of the exchanger are reported for all configurations.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6514642
• Report Number(s): ANL-86-53; ON: DE87011003
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320304* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INSTABILITY
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PRESSURE DROP
TESTING
TUBES
WATER