Strength design aspects of heat exchangers with fixed tube sheet

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present a short but comprehensive presentation of the strength dimensioning of one of the most common chemical equipment, the heat exchanger, in particular the shell-and-tube type. This equipment is classified as a pressure vessel, which means all aspects of design, manufacture and investigation are subject to standard specifications. As these heat exchangers are essential equipment for the chemical industry and related technologies, they typically operate at pressure other than atmospheric, the operation is also subject to regulatory requirements, which are contained in the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) specifications. This article summarizes the design aspects of the tube sheet, a typical structural element of the shell-and-tube heat exchangers.