Questions about heat exchangers?
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What is the scope of application for floating-head heat exchangers? What is the difference between it and a fixed-tube-sheet heat exchanger?
The floating type can withstand greater thermal expansion than the fixed type
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Floating-head heat exchangers are suitable for applications where there is a large temperature difference between the shell and the tube bundle, or where the fluid flowing in the shell side tends to form scale. It features easy cleaning between and inside the tubes, with no thermal stress generated. Fixed-tube-sheet heat exchangers are suitable for applications where the fluid on the shell side is clean, not prone to scaling, and can be easily cleaned, and where the temperature difference between the shell side and the tube side is small, or even large, but the pressure on the shell side is not high. The advantage is that it can withstand high pressure, and the tubes can be easily replaced if damaged. The disadvantage is that a high linear expansion coefficient generates significant thermal stress.
The fixed tube sheet type is welded to the shell side; minor leaks in the tubes can be repaired, but if many tubes are damaged, the entire assembly must be replaced. The floating head type can be disassembled
Float-type heat exchangers do not require expansion joints; they are suitable for situations where there is a large temperature difference between the tube side and the shell side, and they are easy to remove for cleaning. However, the greater number of sealing surfaces increases the risk of leakage, so U-tube designs could be tried