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Home > Forums > Mechanical Engineers > Activities > Pump engineering Forum

Heat Exchanger Configuration

Read More Threads Like This One

RS82 (Mechanical)

30 Mar 12 9:09

I have a job where we we are mounting a shell-tube heat exchanger (API Plan 23) on a OH2 pump..what is the best config for heat exchanger, vertical or horizontal? And why?

My thought for venting in an horizontal HE, each coil wrap will have localized vapour pockets which could only be pushed out by a the flow..whereas for a vertical HE..the vapour pockets should rise through the coils up to the vent..so is the vertical position more desirable?

bimr (Civil/Environmental)

30 Mar 12 9:37

Ask the equipment supplier for installation instructions:

http://www.ppcmechanicalseals.com/API/API-21.pdf

RS82 (Mechanical)

30 Mar 12 9:53

Thanks bimr. But it doesnt explain advantages/disadvantages for a horizontal or vertical heat exchanger..I had already asked the the company that is supplying the HE and the Engg dept is taking a long time to get back to me..hence I am asking here:)

Compositepro (Chemical)

30 Mar 12 16:45

I baffles in a horizontal exchanger will not be sealed so tight that vapor pockets can form. So it doesn't matter.

bimr (Civil/Environmental)

30 Mar 12 17:03

See the link, like composite pro says, it does not matter.

http://www.graham-mfg.com/usr/pdf/TechLibHeatTransfer/17.PDF

DLite30 (Mechanical)

30 Mar 12 17:40

Of all the machinery I've ever been around, navy, compression equipment, etc...I can't recall ever seeing a vertical heat
exhanger.

Regarding vapor or air pockets: In a horizontal unit, the vapor will build up in the one of the heads, collect at the top of the head and can be easily vented, while allowing the majority of the tubes to flow unhindered, but in a vertical unit, an air bound area could form at the top of all the tubes with no way to vent them.

flexibox (Mechanical)

30 Mar 12 19:46

I have seen both mountings.
Horizontal: if you mount horizontally then you need to have it above the pump centerline. In doing this you should have a high point vent tee off at the top of the tubing to seal. Vent HE when pump is flooded and again just after start up.
Vertical: I have seen then below pump centerline with high point vent at the seal at 12 o'clock and another tee off at the HE. The system was working well.
I think that provided you can vent the system properly and be assured of no air traps then either will work!

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