Strouhal Numbers for Heat Exchanger Tube Arrays in Cross Flow

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Weaver ◽  
J. A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
M. ElKashlan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Acoustic Resonance ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Turbulence Spectrum ◽  
Tube Arrays ◽  
Exchanger Tube ◽  
Array Geometry

The prediction of tube or acoustic resonance due to cross-flow in heat exchangers is dependent upon knowledge of the flow characteristics for a given tube array geometry. For this, a Strouhal number relating a peak frequency in the turbulence spectrum to the velocity of the flow is required. The data available in the literature for this are rather confusing and the prediction methods appear somewhat contradictory. This paper reports the results from experiments conducted to determine Strouhal numbers for eight tube array models. These results together with the data available in the literature are then compared and appropriate conclusions drawn.

Spanwise Correlation of Surface Pressure Fluctuations in Heat Exchanger Tube Arrays

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mahon ◽  
Paul Cheeran ◽  
Craig Meskell
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Fretting Wear ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Tube Arrays ◽  
Pitch Ratio ◽  
Excitation Mechanisms ◽  
Exchanger Tube

An experimental study of the surface spanwise pressure on a cylinder in the third row of two normal triangular tube arrays (P/d = 1.32 and 1.58) with air cross flow has been conducted. A range of flow velocities were examined. The correlation of surface pressure fluctuations due to various vibration excitation mechanisms along the span of heat exchanger tubes has been assessed. The turbulent buffeting is found to be uncorrelated along the span which is consistent with generally accepted assumptions in previous studies. Vortex shedding and acoustic resonances were well correlated along the span of the cylinder, with correlations lengths approaching the entire length of the cylinder. Jet switching was observed in the pitch ratio of 1.58 and was found to be correlated along the cylinder, although the spatial behaviour is complex. This result suggests that the excitation force used in fretting wear models may need to be updated to include jet switching in the calculation.

Two-Phase Flow-Induced Vibration of Parallel Triangular Tube Arrays With Asymmetric Support Stiffness

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Feenstra ◽  
David S. Weaver ◽  
Tomomichi Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Flow Induced Vibration ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Tube Arrays ◽  
Tube Bundles ◽  
Pitch Ratio ◽  
Exchanger Tube

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the flow-induced vibration response and fluidelastic instability threshold of model heat exchanger tube bundles subjected to a cross-flow of refrigerant 11. Tube bundles were specially built with tubes cantilever-mounted on rectangular brass support bars so that the stiffness in the streamwise direction was about double that in the transverse direction. This was designed to simulate the tube dynamics in the U-bend region of a recirculating-type nuclear steam generator. Three model tube bundles were studied, one with a pitch ratio of 1.49 and two with a smaller pitch ratio of 1.33. The primary intent of the research was to improve our understanding of the flow-induced vibrations of heat exchanger tube arrays subjected to two-phase cross-flow. Of particular concern was to compare the effect of the asymmetric stiffness on the fluidelastic stability threshold with that of axisymmetric stiffness arrays tested most prominently in literature. The experimental results are analyzed and compared with existing data from literature using various definitions of two-phase fluid parameters. The fluidelastic stability thresholds of the present study agree well with results from previous studies for single-phase flow. In two-phase flow, the comparison of the stability data depends on the definition of two-phase flow velocity.

A Comparative Overview of Marine Risers and Heat Exchanger Tube Banks

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
M. M. Zdravkovich
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Marine Risers ◽  
Tube Arrays ◽  
Flow Induced Vibrations ◽  
Satellite Clusters ◽  
Tube Banks ◽  
Exchanger Tube

This is neither an original paper nor a review, but a comparative overview of two seemingly unrelated engineering fields. There are some similarities and strong dissimilarities between multipipe risers and tube arrays employed in heat exchangers. For example, square arrays are used in both, whereas “satellite” clusters cannot be found in heat exchangers. The extensive research on flow-induced vibrations in heat exchanger arrays reveals several mechanisms of excitation and sustenance of tube vibration. Some of the mechanisms identified for tube arrays may be relevant for marine risers. The main object of this comparative overview is to compile and discuss heat exchanger data which may be applicable to marine risers. Design guidelines are specified for satellite clusters.

Fluidelastic Vibration of Heat Exchanger Tube Arrays

1978 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Connors
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Excitation Mechanism ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Flow Test ◽  
Tube Arrays ◽  
Instability Constant ◽  
Exchanger Tube

A basic fluidelastic excitation mechanism, of a type reported in an earlier paper, causes large whirling vibrations of tubes in model arrays when the flow velocity exceeds a critical value. The critical velocity is U = βfnDmoδn/ρoD2 where β, the threshold instability constant is a function of the tube pattern and spacing. Threshold instability constants are given that were obtained from wind tunnel and water tunnel tests on multirow tube arrays in uniform cross flow. Test results are discussed that demonstrate the effects of spanwise variations in flow velocity on fluidelastic whirling for both straight tubes and U-tubes. Design methods are provided for predicting the onset of fluidelastic whirling of heat exchanger tubes on multiple supports when spanwise variations in the cross flow exist.

Two-Phase Flow-Induced Vibration of Parallel Triangular Tube Arrays With Asymmetric Support Stiffness

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Feenstra ◽  
David S. Weaver ◽  
Tomomichi Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Flow Induced Vibration ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Tube Arrays ◽  
Tube Bundles ◽  
Pitch Ratio ◽  
Exchanger Tube

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the flow-induced vibration response and fluidelastic instability threshold of a model heat exchanger tube bundle subjected to a cross-flow of refrigerant 11. Tube bundles were specially built with cantilevered tubes mounted on asymmetric supports so that the stiffness in the streamwise direction was about double that of the transverse direction. This was designed to simulate the tube dynamics in the U-bend region of a recirculating-type nuclear steam generator. Three model tube bundles were tested, one with a pitch ratio of 1.49 and two with a smaller pitch ratio of 1.33. The primary intent of the research was to improve our understanding of the flow-induced vibrations of heat exchanger tube arrays subjected to two-phase cross-flow. Of particular concern was to compare the effect of the asymmetric support stiffness on the fluidelastic stability threshold with that of symmetric stiffness arrays tested most prominently in the literature. The experimental results are analysed and compared with existing data from the literature using various definitions of two-phase fluid parameters. The fluidelastic stability thresholds of the present study agree well with results from previous studies for single phase flow. In two-phase flow, the comparison of the stability data depends upon the definition of two-phase flow velocity.

The Effects of Bundle Geometry on Heat Exchanger Tube Vibration in Two-Phase Cross Flow

2001 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Pettigrew ◽  
C. E. Taylor ◽  
B. S. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Tube Bundle ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Heat Exchanger Tube ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Mass Fluxes ◽  
Excitation Mechanisms ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Shell And Tube ◽  
Exchanger Tube

Many shell-and-tube heat exchangers operate in two-phase flows. This paper presents the results of a series of experiments done on tube bundles of different geometries subjected to two-phase cross flow simulated by air-water mixtures. Normal (30 deg) and rotated (60 deg) triangular, and normal (90 deg) and rotated (45 deg) square tube bundle configurations of pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.2 to 1.5 were tested over a range of mass fluxes from 0 to 1000 kg/(m2s) and void fraction from 0 to 100 percent. The effects of tube bundle geometry on vibration excitation mechanisms such as fluidelastic instability and random turbulence, and on dynamic parameters such as damping and hydrodynamic mass are discussed.

Parametric Investigation of the Flow-Sound Interaction Mechanism for Single Cylinders in Cross-Flow

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Afifi ◽  
Atef Mohany
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Interaction Mechanism ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Acoustic Resonance ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Resonance Excitation ◽  
Acoustic Damping ◽  
Radiation Losses ◽  
Cylinder Diameter ◽  
Tube Bundles

Abstract Flow-excited acoustic resonance is a design concern in many industrial applications. If not treated, it may lead to excessive vibrational loads, which could subsequently result in premature structural failure of critical equipment. For the case of tube bundles in heat exchangers, several acoustic damping criteria were proposed in the literature to predict the occurrence of resonance excitation. However, these criteria, in some cases, are not reliable in differentiating between the resonant and nonresonant cases. A primary reason for that is the geometrical differences between reduced scale models and full-scale tube bundles, and their effect on the flow-sound interaction mechanism. Therefore, the effect of two geometrical aspects, namely, the duct height and the cylinder diameter, on the self-excited acoustic resonance for single cylinders in cross-flow is experimentally investigated in this work. Changing the duct height changes the natural frequency of the excited acoustic modes and the duct's acoustic damping and radiation losses. Changing the cylinder diameter changes the flow velocity at frequency coincidence, the pressure drop, and Reynolds number. It is found that increasing the duct height decreases the acoustic impedance, which makes the system more susceptible to resonance excitation. This, in turn, changes the magnitude of the acoustic pressure at resonance, even for cases where the dynamic head of the flow is kept constant. The acoustic attenuation due to visco-thermal losses is quantified theoretically using Kirchhoff's acoustical damping model, which takes into account the geometrical aspects of the different ducts. Results from the experiments are compared with the acoustic damping criteria from the literature for similar cases. It is revealed that the height of the duct is an important parameter that should be included in damping criteria proposed for tube bundles of heat exchangers, as it controls the acoustic damping and radiation losses of the system, which have been over-looked in the past.

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