The vibration amplitude of the heat exchanger is high; how to address this?
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Our factory uses shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The material is pumped to the heat exchanger by a forced circulation pump, and after heat exchange it exits the heat exchanger. The forced circulation pump is equipped with variable frequency control; when the frequency increases, the vibration amplitude of the heat exchanger becomes very large. What are the best methods for strengthening the heat exchanger in order to achieve significant vibration reduction?
Want to reinforce the heat exchanger? First, check the level, vertical alignment, and centering of the pump/
When designing a heat exchanger, it is important to consider vibration resistance; if this is not taken into account, it can lead to serious problems.
You need to first find out what is causing the vibration before making any modifications! ! ! ! !
The vibration problem of heat exchangers must be taken into account during the design phase. It is primarily influenced by factors such as the flow rate of the fluid, the spacing between baffle plates, the cut ratio, the arrangement of the heat exchange tubes, and the specifications of these tubes. If the heat exchangers in your factory have removable tube bundles, it is possible to modify the baffle plates to reduce their spacing. For heat exchangers with fixed tube sheets, no solutions can be applied; instead, consider strengthening the fixation of the tubes or making more bends in them to increase flexibility and reduce vibrations. Additionally, calculate the flow rates at various rotational speeds, as high flow rates within the tubes can also exacerbate vibrations. Also, if the flow rate is high, it is important to ensure that there is a straight section of pipe at the pump outlet, as this can significantly reduce vibrations.
If the pump has a high power rating, it is necessary to consider both the pump itself and the pipes connected to it, by using flexible pipe connections and a flexible foundation for the pump. The heat exchanger also needs to be fixed.
If the flow is through the shell side, it’s inevitable; in that case, major repairs to the heat exchanger will be required.
We are now considering strengthening the pipeline; we’re not sure what the results will be
Is the water pump too close to the heat exchanger? How far is it? It is possible to reinforce the pipeline, but it is necessary to analyze what causes the vibration; otherwise, the force will not be eliminated. Securing it may seem to solve the problem, but the issue still remains.
First, analyze the reasons – both the pump and the heat exchanger itself need to be examined – before discussing solutions.
Maybe add an expansion joint to let it absorb a certain amount of energy first.