In order to investigate the possibility of numerical simulation for whole structures of heat exchangers, two finite element analysis models have been established for the fixed tubesheet structure composed of tubesheet, cylindrical shell, and tubes using different types of elements. Stresses and deformations produced by pressure load or thermal load are calculated, and the axial strain at the middle area of the cylindrical shell is experimentally measured. By comparing the numerical results with experimental measurements, it is found that both finite element analysis models can give satisfactory results. Considering the difficulties in modeling heat exchangers, beam and shell elements are recommended.
Cooling of the rolling rubber-film on cooling-drums is a common practice in the final stage to achieve good quality of the rubber-film. In this paper, the stable heat transfer process of the rubber-film on the cooling-drums was simulated with a simplified fluid rubber-film method. The temperature at the film on each cooling-drum is obtained and compared with experimental measurements. It is found that the simulation results well agree with the measurements, indicating that the method proposed here is valid. In addition, parameter sensitivity on the cooling efficiency of the system were studied to provide the references for engineering applications.
Mechanical study on a fixed tubesheet which are welded with tube bundles and equipment shell using finite element method is performed. Effects of number of tubes on the strength of tubesheet are studied. Variation of the distributions and magnitudes of the stress and deflection of the tubesheet with the size of the unpierced part of the tubesheet are investigated. Results show with support of tubes, the tubesheet does not behave as a flat solid plate in terms of the stress and deflection distribution features. Specifically, If the tubesheet is partly supported with the tubes in the center, the largest stress intensity occurs at the point which depends on the size of the unpierced region. The maximum deflection is near the unpierced region.
In this paper, finite element analysis models were established to simulate a tubesheet connected with tubes by expanding or welding method. Stresses and deformations in the tubesheet produced by pressure load were calculated with emphasis on the effect of the tubes support. Results showed that the deflections and stresses at the un-perforated zone are greatly affected by the radius of the perforated circle for a partly perforated tubesheet, but they are not sensitive to the radius of the tubesheet when it is fully supported by tubes. If applying numerical design for heat exchangers based on finite element analysis, the tubesheet thickness could be significantly reduced. Compared with the welding connection, expanding connection of the tubes and tubesheet is more helpful to raise the strength and stiffness of the perforated tubesheet.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.