Problems with the installation of the heat exchanger! ! !
Thread Content
We use shell-and-tube heat exchangers. During installation, the equipment technician said that the material should be cooled in the shell side, while cooling water is used in the tube side; the exchanger is installed horizontally. I think there is a problem with this approach: it’s possible for residue to remain in the shell side. Given our high requirements for product quality, any residue could have a significant impact on it. Distillation needs to separate the product into front and back fractions.
Residuals will definitely be present; this is the case even with vertically installed units, as it is true for any type of heat exchanger. However, aside from its relatively high cost, the tubular heat exchanger is an almost perfect heat exchanger. Its heat exchange efficiency is comparable to that of plate-type designs, and it can withstand high pressures. The location of the homogenizer can be chosen arbitrarily during installation (it can handle pressures up to 20–30 MPa). It is even possible to separate the high-pressure pump from the homogenizer head, allowing for homogenization after sterilization; this not only improves product quality but also eliminates the need to install a sterile balance tank. At the same time, due to its ability to withstand high pressure, it can be used to sterilize products with relatively high viscosity (such as whipped cream and sauce products).
There is residual material, but more displacement can be carried out when operations start. Most shell-and-tube heat exchangers are installed horizontally; in special cases, they are installed vertically.
The installation method is correct; generally, the material flows through the shell side, and residues will definitely form – running the process a few more times will resolve this issue.
Thank you to the people above; I’ve learned a lot from it! ! ! ! !