Shell & tube heat exchangers are the “work-horse” of heat transfer equipment. Robust shape and being versatile makes S&THE suitable for any application, (vaporizer, condenser, heater/cooler, etc.) for large surface areas withstanding high pressures and temperatures.
Shell and tube heat exchangers are considered the only choice, aside from air coolers with limited application, to operate in pressures over … and temperatures over …. Various configurations and types of heat exchangers are in operation in oil & gas, (petro)chemical, power and food industry for years.
S&THE are classified according to TEMA standard into their application as R (petrolume and related processing), C (commercial and general process) and B (chemical process). Three main type of heat exchangers are
Fixed Tubesheet (TEMA L,M,N),
U-Tube (TEMA U),
And Floating Head (TEMA S,T,W,P)
each with different configuration of shell and stationary types, chosen based on differential expansion between tubes and shell, ease of cleaning and fluid characteristics.