The effect of flat bar supports on the crossflow induced response of heat exchanger U-tubes

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Eng. Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:6696891

Weaver, D S; Schneider, W

A wind tunnel study was conducted to determine the effect of flat bar supports on the crossflow induced response of heat exchanger U-tubes. The 13-mm-dia tubes formed a triangular array with a pitch ratio of 1.57 and a mean U-bend diameter of about 1.5 m. A 0.3-m-long section of the array was exposed to a flow parallel to the plane of the U-bends. Experiments were conducted with no supports, with one set of flat bars at the apex, and with two sets of flat bar supports at the apex and 45 deg points. In each case, the tube response was monitored to a flow velocity beyond that required for fluid elastic instability. Limited experiments were also conducted to examine the effect of tube support clearance on tube response. Conclusions are drawn regarding the effectiveness of flat bars as U-bend antivibration supports.

• Research Organization: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 6696891
• Journal Information: J. Eng. Power; (United States), Vol. 105:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
CROSSFLOW SYSTEMS
TUBES
SUPPORTS
DIMENSIONS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
DATA
INFORMATION
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
NUMERICAL DATA
TESTING
200101* - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Cooling & Heat Transfer Equipment & Systems