Floating head-type heat exchangers are widely used in many processes. They are important for efficient heat exchange between two streams and allow for thermal expansion and contraction to prevent damage to the system.
There are various types of floating head shell and tube heat exchanger available. Each type depends on the equipment’s design and the precise conditions under which it is to be operated. This article explores these different types and the advantages they offer industrial machinery.
What Is a Floating Head Heat Exchanger?
Heat exchangers are invaluable in an array of industries since they permit heat exchange between at least two but separate fluid streams. The floating head design is especially useful because it permits the shell and tube to expand and contract independently; this design is preferred across several applications.
This flexibility makes them particularly suitable for applications where temperature differences between the two fluids could be significant.
Types of Floating Head Heat Exchangers Available
1. Split Back Ring Type Floating Head Heat Exchanger
The split-back ring floating head heat exchanger is one of the most commonly used configurations. It is designed to provide thermal expansion compensation between the shell and the tube bundle.
In this design, a split-back ring is placed at the back of the floating head, which allows the tube bundle to move freely within the shell while maintaining a secure attachment.
Advantages of the Split Back Ring Type
- Thermal Expansion Compensation: The split back ring enables the tube bundle to float independently, compensating for the differential expansion between the hot and cold fluids inside the tubes and shell.
- Easy Aftercare: The most interesting design feature is a split back ring that allows easy maintenance and cleaning of the carotenoid vascular system. Maintenance is easier and less expensive since the tube bundle is retractable or replaceable without disassembling the whole equipment.
- Enhanced Reliability: The split back ring type also minimizes the expansion and contraction of the tubes by eliminating thermal stresses on the tubes, thereby improving the heat exchanger.
2. Pull-Through Bundle Type Floating Head Heat Exchanger
The pull-through bundle-type floating head heat exchanger allows for easy removal of the tube bundle for maintenance. In this design, the tube bundle is secured to the floating head, and it can be pulled through the shell from the opposite side when cleaning or inspection is required.
Advantages of the Pull-Through Bundle Type
- Simple Upkeep Process: The above design has one of the main benefits of easy upkeep. This arrangement allows for a tube bundle to be pulled through the shell without undue disassembly, keeping the system down considerably.
- Cost-Effective: The portion of the tube bundle can be reached without disassembling the heat exchanger unit, which decreases maintenance costs and increases performance.
- Simple Construction: The pull-through design is also easier to set up, making building energetically cheaper.
3. Outside Packed Lantern Ring Type Floating Head Heat Exchanger
In the outside packed lantern ring-type floating head heat exchanger, the lantern ring is positioned externally and houses the packing material used to create a seal between the floating head and the shell. This design is handy for high-pressure applications, where maintaining a secure seal is crucial to prevent fluid leakage.
Advantages of the Outside Packed Lantern Ring Type
- Enhanced Sealing: The lantern ring’s packing material creates a reliable seal, preventing leakage between the tube and shell sides. This quality helps with processes involving dangerous or damaging liquids.
- Pressure and Temperature Resistance: The external packing system can operate under pressures and temperatures that allow the lantern ring type to be used in harsh conditions.
- Durability: The external location of the lantern ring protects the packing from wear and tear, increasing the overall durability of the heat exchanger.
4. Outside Packed Stuffing Box Type Floating Head Heat Exchanger
Similar to the outside-packed lantern ring design, the outside-packed stuffing box-type floating head heat exchanger also uses an external packing system to create a seal. However, in this design, the packing is housed inside a stuffing box, a chamber specially designed to prevent leaks.
Advantages of the Outside Packed Stuffing Box Type
- Avoidance of leakage: The stuffing box adds an extra level of sealing because it does not permit fluid leakage, which makes it appropriate for dangerous operations.
- High-Pressure and Temperature Reluctance: The stuffing box design is also perfectly compatible with pressure and high-temperature conditions similar to those of the lantern ring type.
- Time Efficient: The stuffing box is easy to access from the outside so that the packing material can be replaced easily during maintenance. This reduces time wastage and keeps the machinery fully functional.
Conclusion
Floating head heat exchangers are essential components in systems where thermal expansion and contraction must be managed effectively. The four types discussed above offer distinct advantages depending on the application’s requirements.
By understanding the differences between these designs, industries can select the most appropriate floating head heat exchanger to meet their operational and maintenance needs.
