Selection of heat exchange tube material
Thread Content
A heat exchanger, with a design temperature of -35°C for the shell side and 60°C for the tube side; calculations using SW6 software show that it is feasible to use 10-grade steel for the heat exchange tubes. Is this a good choice?
You have to believe that there is still a gap between theory and practice: lol
Does the software not take into account the temperature at which the heat exchange tubes are subjected to external pressure? Is that reasonable?
If considered, the lower temperature limit for 10 steel is -20 degrees, which should exceed the allowable temperature range; however, the calculations for the heat exchange tubes are acceptable
When selecting a material, consideration must be given to the pressure and temperature it can withstand, the manufacturing standards, and the compatibility between different materials!
When the heat exchanger is operating normally, the calculated metal temperature of the tube wall is likely to be greater than -20°C, which is no problem. In the event of abnormal conditions such as a break in the flow of the medium through the tube, the metal temperature of the tube wall is likely to drop below -20°C; you need to come up with an explanation for why the use of 10# steel for the heat exchange tubes in the design is in compliance with the standards.
The software is only responsible for performing calculations; it doesn’t choose the materials for you. SW6 isn’t that intelligent, is it?:lol
What is the metal temperature in the shell side of the pattern?
This mainly depends on the wall temperature; however, considering extreme flow interruption conditions, it is better to meet the design temperature.