Tube sheet (tubesheet) for heat exchanger

We are a professional manufacturer and exporter of  tube sheet in China,

We provide precision tubesheets with various materials include wide range of clad steel consisting of corrosion resistant materials. We are strict to use of high quality and guaranteed raw material , proved by raw material certificate with each delivery.

CNC drilled, chamfer, grooved etc as the drawings’ requirements.

Tube holes can be drilled and reamed and can be machined with one or more grooves. This greatly increases the strength of the tube joint.

What is a Tube Sheet?

A tube sheet is a flat or slightly tapered plate, typically made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or alloy materials, used to support the tubes within a heat exchanger. It provides a strong base where the tubes are securely welded or mechanically fixed. Tube sheets are designed to withstand high-pressure environments and offer effective sealing between the tubes and the shell of the heat exchanger.

Key Functions of Tube Sheets in Heat Exchangers

1. Support for Tubes: Tube sheets hold the tubes in place within the heat exchanger, ensuring that the tubes don’t shift or move under high-pressure conditions. This stability is crucial for maintaining the integrity and performance of the heat exchange process.

2. Separation of Fluids: Tube sheets separate the hot and cold fluids in a heat exchanger. The fluid inside the tubes is kept separate from the fluid outside, preventing mixing and ensuring efficient heat transfer. This allows each fluid to maintain its temperature and pressure characteristics, optimizing the heat exchanger’s performance.

3. Pressure Containment: Tube sheets are built to withstand the internal pressure of the fluids flowing through the heat exchanger. The material and design of the tube sheet must be capable of handling the stress without compromising its integrity.

4. Thermal Expansion: Heat exchangers experience varying temperatures, and the tube sheet must accommodate thermal expansion without distorting or warping. Well-designed tube sheets can manage these temperature fluctuations, ensuring consistent performance throughout the heat exchange process.

Types of Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets

1. Fixed Tube Sheet Heat Exchanger: This is the most common type, where the tube sheet is fixed at both ends of the shell, and the tubes are welded or expanded into the holes in the tube sheet. This configuration is ideal for applications with moderate temperature and pressure.

2. U-tube Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets: Used for applications requiring a more compact design, U-tube exchangers have a tube sheet at both ends of a U-shaped bundle of tubes. These are beneficial for handling fluids that expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations.

3. Floating Head Heat Exchanger Tube Sheets: Designed to accommodate large temperature variations, floating head exchangers allow one tube sheet to “float,” reducing thermal stress on the tubes. These are often used in high-temperature applications.

A tubesheet is an important component in heat exchangers, boilers, and condensers. It serves as a structural support and a sealing interface for the tubes within these systems. Tubesheets are typically circular metal plates drilled with precise holes to accommodate the tubes, and they ensure the mechanical integrity and proper functioning of the equipment.

Tubesheets are designed and manufactured according to recognized standards, such as:

• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)
• TEMA (Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association) standards
• API 660 for heat exchangers in oil and gas

Tube sheets Material:

• Typically made from carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, or alloys (e.g., Inconel or titanium).

TubeSheet for Heat Exchanger

Applications of tube sheet