An overview of shell and tube heat exchangers

A shell and tube heat exchanger is used in industries to efficiently transfer heat from one medium to another without having them make contact with each other. This is achieved via a cylindrical shell with a bundle of tubes inside them. The tubes are made of heat conductive materials and allow heat exchange between the hot liquid flowing outside the tubes and the cool liquid flowing through the tubes.

They are employed in most modern industries that require removal of process, cooling of hydraulic and oil, condensing vapour or steam or even evaporating liquid or steam, and most importantly pre-heating feed water. Pharmaceutical manufacturers employ shell and heat tube exchanger for exactly purpose, preheating of feed water. This ensures that the feed water is pre-treated before being used in any water purification system.

They are easily dismantled; this means maintenance is relatively easier than other heat exchangers. A shell and tube heat exchanger is compact in size and its capacity can be increased as per the requirements of the manufacturer.