Kettle Style Heat Exchanger

[ggfiorillo]

Hello, long time viewer first time poster. My company is looking to design a kettle style heat exchanger, something we've never done before. I am trying to find some guidance on the design considerations. I know there are some heat exchanger design books out there but can anyone recommend one for us to reference? We are looking for help determining size, heat transfer, how to handle steam vapor, avoiding liquid entertainment, measuring and maintaining an adequate LL, etc. Really all the design considerations we need to make to ensure good operation. Any other advice would be great!

Thanks!

-ggfiorillo

 

[Latexman]

Write a performance spec and send it to three reputable vendors.

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.

 

[georgeverghese]

For a start, have a read of DQ Kern, Process Heat Transfer. Then have a read of Perry Chem Engg Handbook for upper limits on heat transfer to avoid vapor blanketing etc in boiling service. Check that you have adequate vapor side cross sectional area to avoid liquid / mist entrainment into the vapor exit. It will most likely pay to get a verification rating check done on some commercial software such as HTRI or Hextran( add on with Simsci - Pro II). Choose the appropriate tube layout to suit process conditions.

 

[ggfiorillo]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will let you know how these sources work out.

 

[MJCronin]

My two cents:

- Kettle style HXs are regulated by both ASME VIII and TEMA for strength. Despite the complaints of your bellowing MBA boss, purchase the latest TEMA standard for this and future work. Not necessary to buy the ASME standard

- As stated above there are several software programs for modelling the complete distillation column and boiler. Will this project incorporate thermosyphon effects or a forced circulation pump ?

- Will the device be supported by the column or on its own foundation ? Are you allowing room to pull tube bundles ? Never too early to look at layouts !!!!


This is a good place to start ....

http://www-unix.ecs.umass.edu/~rlaurenc/Courses/che333/Reference/exchanger.pdf

Please respect us .... keep us posted about your design choices and what helped you finalize your design

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[MJCronin]

If this is your first time and because mistakes can be so expensive, you may want to consider hiring a consultant that does only this kind of work ....

MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer

 

[srfish]

Another good source for Kettle Reboiler design is "Process Heat Transfer" by Serth. He discusses such factors as LMTD, Fouling, Number of nozzles and shell diameter.

 

[ggfiorillo]

Thanks for the new suggestions. The idea to hire a consultant is something we have thought about and are still discussing. The book by Serth seems promising.
When we start making some design decisions I will share what I can. We are actually looking to use the design of a kettle-style heat exchanger in a way that is likely new to the industry, so I will be limited in what details I can share :/ , but I will contribute back what I can!
Thanks everyone again for taking the time to give this newbie some advice.

Cheers!