Selection of Tube Size In Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers 1

[kar12sha]

Hi,
This is Karthick.Could any one give idea how to select the Tube diameter for Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers based on the service. This question arises because in one project for cooling water service tube diameter of 19.05mm is used and similarly in some other project 25.4mm was also used. So kindly suggest which plays major role in selecting the tube diameter for cooling water service and what is the reason for the difference.

 

[TJOrlowski]

There are too many factors to list to fully explain the reasoning behind the selection of one tube diameter over another in a shell & tube heat exchanger. Some factors:

Availability of tubing from the mills / distributors
Velocity and pressure drop considerations through the tubes
Fouling considerations
Ability to fit more m^2 cooling surface with smaller tubes
Cost considerations

Most RFQ / RFP packages specify a minimum tube diameter, and leave it up to the design engineer to select a suitable tube diameter based on service, life expectancy, and cost.

-TJ Orlowski