Holtec aka Tweener Baffles

[gte682n]

This is my first time coming across these types of baffles in a heat exchanger. The service is cooling water (cold) & oily water (hot) in a 3 pass shell and 3 pass tube exchanger. One benefit that I can see is the reduced pressure drop on the shell side due to the non-segmented nature of the design. Non-condensables are not a concern in this service. Is there any other reason why this type of baffle would be chosen? There was a recent failure in a 30 year old exchanger where one of the baffles cut into a tube. We have three other identical 30 year old exchangers in the same service that have not shown this failure.

Does any one have experience with these types of baffles with regard to likelihood of failure versus traditional segmented baffles? Are they more prone to fail, less resistant to tube vibration, any other known issues?

Thanks,

 

[chicopee]

If you send us a picture of the damaged tube and baffle as well as a sketch of the tube arrangement with the placement of the baffles then perhaps we can make some educated assessment of the situation.

 

[chicopee]

Also have a metallurgist do his tests for a determination.

 

[EdStainless]

What is the tube material?
The likelihood of tube damage at the baffles is a function of span between baffles, tube-to-baffle fit, tube material, and the cross flow velocity.
These baffles have a good history, but rules still apply.
Not only do these have less shell side pressure drop but there are also benefits with less dead space next to the baffles.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube