Sebra
Mechanical
- Jan 29, 2015
- 6
I am trying to get some understanding around the code that a air compressor aftercooler is fabricated to. these are small plate fin radiator type coolers that usually comes as part of the air compressor package. As we don't have much data on the aftercooler itself plus we had multiple failures we decided to review the design. however I am not sure what code to use. the code we wanted to use is AS2971 Australian code for Serially Produced Pressure vessels. this code is not written in first instance to cover plate-fin exchangers with elevated temperature (we have a design temperature of 220degC but AS2971 has an upper limit of 150degC).
these coolers can experience thermal fatigue ( 1 cycle an hour) and high temperature increase , from 80 to 200 degC in about 5 min. They are fabricated of Aluminium hearder box and brazed aluminium core.
My understanding is that typically these types of units are a mixture between an industry recognised pressure vessel code (ie ASME VIII for header box) and manufacturer standard procedures for the welding, fins, etc. Welding, brazing, etc doesn’t necessarily comply with ASME IX.
So my questions are
- Does anyone have experience with design / fabrication of these type of coolers
- Does anyone know of an industry standard for design and fabrication of these coolers?
- In your experience are these typically designed/manufactured as per manufacturer procedure?
appreciate your input if you have some previous experience in this field.
-Sareh
these coolers can experience thermal fatigue ( 1 cycle an hour) and high temperature increase , from 80 to 200 degC in about 5 min. They are fabricated of Aluminium hearder box and brazed aluminium core.
My understanding is that typically these types of units are a mixture between an industry recognised pressure vessel code (ie ASME VIII for header box) and manufacturer standard procedures for the welding, fins, etc. Welding, brazing, etc doesn’t necessarily comply with ASME IX.
So my questions are
- Does anyone have experience with design / fabrication of these type of coolers
- Does anyone know of an industry standard for design and fabrication of these coolers?
- In your experience are these typically designed/manufactured as per manufacturer procedure?
appreciate your input if you have some previous experience in this field.
-Sareh