Flow-Induced Vibration in Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers with Double-Segmental Baffles

Abstract

One of the techniques used by designers of shell-and-tube heat exchangers when they encounter a potential flow-induced vibration problem is to shift from a tube bundle with segmental baffles to one with double-segmental baffles. This results in a split of the flow into either half of the shell with lower velocities and makes it possible to reduce the unsupported tube span length while keeping below a given allowable pressure drop. Tests were performed as a part of a systematic study of water flow-induced vibration in industrial-size heat exchangers. Results for nine different double-segmental baffled bundle configurations are presented. Comparison of the results with those for similar segmental baffled bundles shows that higher flows can be tolerated without developing damaging flow-induced vibration.