Heat exchanger retubing with thicker tube
Heat exchanger retubing with thicker tube
(OP)
Hi everyone.
We are going to retube a Heat exchanger with a thicker tube (2,7 mm - BWG 14) than original (2,11 mm - BWG 12).
The difference in weight is something around 1 ton.
The exchanger weighs 11 ton, and is gonna weigh 12 ton.
The exchanger is a floating head bundle.
My question, apart from the exchange efficiency, that we checked and is ok, what do we need to consider speaking of mechanical integrity
Thanks
We are going to retube a Heat exchanger with a thicker tube (2,7 mm - BWG 14) than original (2,11 mm - BWG 12).
The difference in weight is something around 1 ton.
The exchanger weighs 11 ton, and is gonna weigh 12 ton.
The exchanger is a floating head bundle.
My question, apart from the exchange efficiency, that we checked and is ok, what do we need to consider speaking of mechanical integrity
Thanks





RE: Heat exchanger retubing with thicker tube
Will the new tubes be rolled/and/or welded into the existing tubesheet ?
Does the contractor have experience with the new rolling proceedure ?
Will there be samples made up for a pull-out test on some sample tubes ??
If the existing heat exchanger is a TEMA BEM and does not have a shell expansion joint, will there be a re-evaluation of the new, larger axial forces developed within the unit ?
Have the thermal condition also changed so as to make the axial thermal issue an even greater one ?
RE: Heat exchanger retubing with thicker tube
Its gonna be rolled.
Does the contractor have experience with the new rolling proceedure ?
Yes, he had performed several rolled procedures for us.
Will there be samples made up for a pull-out test on some sample tubes ??
Yes, we will.
If the existing heat exchanger is a TEMA BEM and does not have a shell expansion joint, will there be a re-evaluation of the new, larger axial forces developed within the unit ?
It does have a expansion joint!
Have the thermal condition also changed so as to make the axial thermal issue an even greater one ?
No, it wont change.
Thanks for the help!
RE: Heat exchanger retubing with thicker tube
I'm going to guess, and it is only a guess, that if tubeside pressure drop is OK, nobody will notice any difference.
Regards,
Mike