How to calculate heat exchanger's tube wall thickness ?

[miftahazhar]

Tube in heat exchanger is under internal pressure and external pressure. Fluid in the tube is water. How to calculate the minimum wall thickness ?

What formula must I use ? I confuse is ASME 8 Division 1 which I have use or the boiler formula ? or maybe using asme B31 ?

And how to use that formula? I mean do I must calculate under internal pressure and external pressure and take the greater value like when calculate Pressure Vessel under external pressure ?

 

[MJCronin]

http://www.thermopedia.com/content/1182/

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[EdStainless]

Typically HX design follows the rules from HEI, TEMA, or some other appropriate organization.
You select a material, and the strength at your design temp will establish the min wall.
If you are dealing with steel or a Cu alloy there will also be the issue of a corrosion allowance.

I son't know your pressures but most companies have minimum wall thickness that they will use.
In stainless steel it isn't uncommon for the calculated wall to be very thin, thinner than people want to use.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube