Vertical Heat Exchanger Supports

[kodzak1981]

Hi,

I have a question regarding vertical heat exchanger supports. I'm curious is it allowed to put vertical HE on skirt, or legs?

I've done a lot of vertical HE so far, but I have never seen that kind of support (legs, skirt) for vertical HE yet. Every heat exchanger I have made so far has been supported by brackets.

Is that allowed, is there any regulation that say something about this.

Thanks in advance

 

[MJCronin]

kodzak....

I have been involved with the design of several types of vertical S&T heat exchangers (U-tube feedwater heaters, channel down) and all have been supported on "brackets".

Since the customary configuration for S&T HX is horizontal, several practical design considerations must be evaluated when a vertical HX is required.

1) Is there a significant difference in design pressure that makes one side of the HX much heavier than the other ? (This complicates the type of support required)

2) Is there a possibility of "buildup" on the tubesheet that may cause operational issues later ?(vertical HXs will not do this)

3) Will there be problems with the imposed reaction forces of attached piping systems ? (this is always a big consideration far verticals as there is only one point of support)

4) Removing tube bundles and/or cleaning tube may be difficult for vertical HXs

My thoughts only

-mjc

 

[pennpiper]

kodzak1981,
Are you asking about (or thinking about) a Shell and Tube heat Exchanger hung vertically on the side of and near the bottom of a Fractionation Column?

 

[gr2vessels]

Your vertical heat exchanger is a pressure vessel, assuming with girth flanges. As such, there is no restriction on supporting this vertical pressure vessel, taking in account the specific flange loads and the loads on support (skirt or legs). The rest of the issues are the same;- lifting, maintenance, piping loads, expansion loads, etc.

 

[kodzak1981]

Thank you for your advices.

@pennipiper
it isn't like you said. It is just an vertical heat exchanger for itself

@gr2vessels
I think like that as well. It is Pressure Vessel. But as I said, haven't seen any so far on the legs.

Thanks

 

[gr2vessels]

Be the first one to design it, just make sure to get it right.
Cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[SnTMan]

Well I don't really get into this much, but:

Lug supported HX's are very common, done all the time.

Smallish pressure vessels are often leg supported, done all the time.

Larger PV's seem to be more often skirt supported, seems like it's easier to feed the loads into the shell.

Regards,

Mike

 

[pennpiper]

kodzak1981
Why in the world would you want to do this if it is NOT a thermosyphon Reboiler?

Doing this complicates the piping, the operational access to valves and maintenance access for tube bundle removal and or tube cleaning in place.

It just does not sound like a good idea unless you are aboard a ship and are limited in available space.

What do you say?

 

[MJCronin]

I agree with pennpiper (BTW....How is Florida these days ?)

A S&T HX should always be horizontal unless there is some good reason to orient it another way.

I can only think of two exceptions:

- Vertical thermosyphon reboiler

- Knock-back condenser on a reactor vent pipe

Any others >?

 

[pennpiper]

Re: (BTW....How is Florida these days ?)

Believe it or not it is hotter in Minneapolis, Chicago and New York than it is way down south here in Florida. My wife and I play tennis every day and enjoy the warm weather.
Thanks for asking,
Now back to the subject at hand.

Why is this S&T exchanger being installed in a vertical position?

 

[kodzak1981]

Hi, sorry for delay.

It is being installed in a vertical position because of the available space.

Unfortunately I'm not the one who will say how it is gonna be, because I'm just a beginner in the company (new one).

THanks

 

[gr2vessels]

It's only matter of structural design, not a heat exchanger design. And is not complicated design for an experienced designer. Mind the girth flange loads and the legs/skirt design.
Cheers,
gr2vessels