What is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger?

Shell-and-tube heat exchangers are widely used heat exchange devices in chemical, petroleum, refrigeration, and power industries. Their core components include the shell, tube bundle, and end caps. The working principle primarily involves heat exchange between two different media through convection and conduction.

Specifically, one medium flows inside the tubes (tube-side medium), and the other flows in the shell-side space (shell-side medium). Heat exchange occurs between the two through the walls, achieving cooling or heating. Shell-and-tube heat exchangers come in various structural forms, primarily fixed tubesheet, floating head, and U-tube bundle types. The choice depends on factors such as operating conditions, medium characteristics, and required heat transfer efficiency.

These heat exchangers offer advantages such as simple structure, high operational flexibility, and strong adaptability. Furthermore, they possess high thermal efficiency, excellent heat transfer performance, and adaptability to various operating conditions, making them widely applicable in different fields. Simultaneously, their design and manufacture must strictly adhere to relevant standards and specifications to ensure their performance and safety.