Shell and tube HEX capacity

[Renoyd]

Hello,

when we say the capacity of a STX is 27 MMscfd, what exactly does that mean? Is the capacity limited by velocity/pressure drop or process conditions? How to calculate the shell side and tube side velocity? Is there any guideline regarding the maximum velocity/pressure drop?

Any input will be appreciated.

 

[speco]

Renoyd,

The capacity rating doesn't really mean anything unless you define some specific parameters, as you suggest. In your case of a gas cooler or heater, it would have to be defined as the capacity within a pressure drop limit at a specific opterating condition, or it could be a heating or cooling capacity at a given set of conditions.

For example, in the pressure drop case, it could mean a capacity of 27 mmscfd at at temperature of 110 F and an operating pressure of 500 psig and a pressure drop not exceeding 5 psi.

Or, if defined as thermal performance, it could mean, something like cooling 27 mmscfd of gas from 160 F to 120 F at an inlet pressure of 500 psig with a given flow and temperature on the cooling side.

Regards,

Speco (

http://www.stoneprocess.com)

 

[nickelkid]

http://www.tema.org/

"The TEMA Standards and software have achieved worldwide acceptance as the authority on shell and tube heat exchanger mechanical design."

Your application may requirements in addition to TEMA or equal, but they are a typical design baseline for shell and tube exchangers.

 

[Renoyd]

Thank you, guys. Basically 2 things as speco said: heat transfer capability and dp/velocity/vibration issues. TEMA standards are indeed widely used in the industry as RCHandy proposed.