Experimental Analysis of Flow Induced Vibrations in Heat Exchanger Tube Bundles with P/D of 1.54 Subjected to Crossflow

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental analysis of flow-induced vibrations in a heat exchanger tube bundle subjected to crossflow. The study focuses on the characterization and insights gained from the investigation. The tube bundle configuration consists of plain tubes with a single flexible tube, arranged in a squared pattern. The primary objective is to assess the flow-induced vibration behavior and identify any potential instabilities within the system. To analyze the flow-induced vibrations, various parameters were considered, including the P/D ratio (tube pitch to tube diameter ratio), which was found to be 1.54. The experiments were conducted under different flow velocities, and the vibration responses of the tube bundle were measured using suitable sensors. The results revealed that the third row of tubes in the bundle exhibited the highest level of instability compared to the other rows. This finding suggests that the positioning of the tubes within the bundle significantly influences the flow-induced vibrations. The vibrations were observed to vary with the flow velocity, indicating a strong fluid-structure interaction. It can be concluded that the squared arrangement of tubes in the tube bundle, along with the specific P/D ratio, contributes to the flow induced vibration characteristics. Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing the design and operation of heat exchanger systems, as excessive vibrations can lead to mechanical failures and reduced heat transfer efficiency.