Maintenance Requirements for Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers

Maintenance of shell and tube heat exchangers is very important to ensure their long-term efficient operation. Regular inspections and cleaning are key. Depending on usage, the frequency of cleaning may vary from a few weeks to a few months. Maintenance includes checking seals, flanges and fittings for leaks, cleaning dirt and scale from pipework and checking the accuracy of temperature and pressure gauges. If necessary, redistribution of fluid flow is performed to ensure uniform flow. Record all maintenance activities and equipment performance for analysis and optimisation of operation.

How to improve the efficiency of shell and tube heat exchangers?

There are several ways to improve the efficiency of heat exchangers. Firstly, the fluid flow design can be optimised to ensure that the fluid flows uniformly within the tubes and shells to avoid dead spots and turbulence. Secondly, increase the heat transfer area, for example, choose tubes with ribs, which can increase the heat exchange surface area and improve the heat transfer efficiency. It is also important to properly regulate the fluid flow rate to ensure that the heat exchange efficiency is increased without causing excessive pressure drop. In addition, regular maintenance and cleaning of the equipment to prevent scaling and corrosion will also help to increase the heat exchange efficiency.