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  1. #1
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    HELP me understand.....Shell and Tube Single phase heat exchangers



    Good Evening Group. Please educate me....
    Glycol and ammonia shell and tube heat exchangers.

    First question: I am accustom to seeing the tubes inspected in the refining industry and chemical manufacturing plants. In ammonia refrigeration systems are you guys/gals looking inside from time to time to see the condition of the tubes - to prevent leaks?

    Second questions: When A leak happens - can you get a backfeed of ammonia into the glycol system?

    Third Question: What would be the symptoms of a leak in the tube?

    I visit here every now and then to educate myself and not feel intimidated to ask the questions that I need to understand...I thank-you for helping me on this one....

    Seaturtle....



  2. #2
    briankeating's Avatar
    briankeating Guest

    Re: HELP me understand.....Shell and Tube Single phase heat exchangers

    Hello everybody I am working on a project which is basically upon S&T heat exchangers
    I would really appreciate some guidance.
    Thanks.
    Last edited by Josip; 25-07-2011 at 10:01 PM. Reason: remove link

  3. #3
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    Re: HELP me understand.....Shell and Tube Single phase heat exchangers

    Hi, briankeating

    Welcome to RE forums.

    Quote Originally Posted by briankeating View Post
    Hello everybody I am working on a project which is basically upon S&T heat exchangers
    I would really appreciate some guidance.
    Thanks.
    What you like to know about S&T heat exchangers?

    Best regards, Josip

    It's impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious...

    Don't ever underestimate the power of stupid people when they are in large groups.

    Please, don't teach me how to be stupid....
    No job is as important as to jeopardize the safety of you or those that you work with.

  4. #4
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    Re: HELP me understand.....Shell and Tube Single phase heat exchangers

    Hi, bsh3239

    Quote Originally Posted by bsh3239 View Post
    Good Evening Group. Please educate me....
    Glycol and ammonia shell and tube heat exchangers.

    First question: I am accustom to seeing the tubes inspected in the refining industry and chemical manufacturing plants. In ammonia refrigeration systems are you guys/gals looking inside from time to time to see the condition of the tubes - to prevent leaks?

    Second questions: When A leak happens - can you get a backfeed of ammonia into the glycol system?

    Third Question: What would be the symptoms of a leak in the tube?

    I visit here every now and then to educate myself and not feel intimidated to ask the questions that I need to understand...I thank-you for helping me on this one....

    Seaturtle....
    Petrochemical industry is a little bit different ... old fashioned construction with flanged joints for inspection and with manhole .... of course also with enough resources for yearly inspection of complete plant

    Standard refrigeration plants is not the same construction .... heat exchangers mostly are of welded type without manhole ... much cheaper, but still enough reliable to last quite a long time without any leaks .... good inhibitors in glycol and pure ammonia without water and you can run it for 20+ years

    In case of internal leak the flow depends on working pressure ... glycol can flow into ammonia side or vice versa ....

    Symptoms ... the best is to install ammonia sensors into glycol pipes to give you alarm in case of leak or if you have an open to air glycol system you will smell it ... very soon

    in vice versa when glycol is entering into ammonia side you must notice that your glycol level is lover and your ammonia level is higher ... not sure, but there must be available some indicators for glycol in ammonia side too ...

    anyhow every few years 3-5 is necessary to empty exchanger (glycol side) and check for leak ... with ammonia little above normal working pressure ... if you have a leak you will find it ...unfortunately in case of welded type is almost impossible to repair it ...

    Of course if you have S&T heat exchanger with covers on glycol side everything is easier ... discharge glycol and make a leak test with ammonia again ... no smell no leaks ..

    Hope this will be of some help to you. Maybe some other members will come with some better solutions and suggestions.

    Best regards, Josip

    It's impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious...

    Don't ever underestimate the power of stupid people when they are in large groups.

    Please, don't teach me how to be stupid....
    No job is as important as to jeopardize the safety of you or those that you work with.

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