Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
(OP)
We have a horizontal shell and tube exchanger with slurry being through tube side. We used to face frequent fouling and precipitation issues in the tubes that drops heat transfer efficiency and requires chemical and/or mechanical cleaning. What is the best engineering practice for such applications? does it help to put the exchanger in vertical or inclined position? Appreciate all thoughts.





RE: Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
RE: Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
Try to investigate the possibility of adding turbulators in your tubing, that will decrease significantly the fouling rate.
My two cents, come back if you have more details available for your process.
Cheers,
gr2vessels
RE: Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Shell and tube exchanger in slurry application
You have the wrong type of heat exchanger in this application.
The proper and correct type of unit for this type of application is a spiral plate exchanger. This has been demonstrated empirically in the field for many years. In fact, to be specific, I can definitely recommend Alfa Laval as the key fabricator of choice for this type of unit.
You will find that you can easily eliminate or greatly reduce your downtime in cleaning out solid plugs and obstructions within the unit by using a spiral unit. A spiral will cost more than an equivalent TEMA shell & tube, but in any application it requires less heat transfer area than the Shell & tube because of the excellent film coefficient obtianed with spiral flow. Spirals are also more compact and have a smaller footprint. They have gained a reputation for handling slurries for the last 60 years.