Numerical Simulation of Flow-Induced Vibration of Three-Dimensional Elastic Heat Exchanger Tube Bundle Based on Fluid-Structure Coupling

The reliability of the heat exchanger tube bundle not only affects the economic efficiency of production but also relates to the normal development of production safety and health. To study the flow-induced vibration of tube bundles, a three-dimensional finite element model of heat exchange tubes and watersheds inside and outside the tubes was established to explore the flow-induced vibration characteristics of tube bundles and analyze the natural frequencies of single-span and multispan heat exchange tubes. Considering the randomness of the effective support between the tube bundle and the support plate of the heat exchanger, the natural frequency and vibration mode of the four-span tube with failure of the tube bundle support are analyzed. On this basis, the vibration caused by the two-way coupling flow between tube and tube outflow is calculated. Finally, the flow-induced vibration characteristics of the five-tube bundle with two different pitch-diameter ratios are analyzed. The calculation results show that the error between the calculated natural frequencies and the theoretical values is less than 3%, and within the allowable error range, the natural frequencies of the same order decrease with the increase of the number of support failures. The vibration frequencies of single-span and multispan tube bundles are consistent with the lift and drag frequencies, the vibration displacement curves show typical Strouhal modes, and the amplitude increases with the increase of fluid velocity. Vibration displacement curves of symmetrical spans of multispan tube bundles are similar in shape and amplitude. With the increase of tube bundle spacing, the vibration characteristics become more obvious.

Analysis and Implementation of Thermal Heat Exchanger Tube Performance with Helically Pierced Twisted Tape Inserts Using ANFIS Model

The present work used ANFIS, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system modeling to analyze the effect of the variable parameters of helically pierced twisted tape inserts on the Nusselt number, friction factor, and thermo-hydraulic heat exchanger tube performance. The experimental data utilized for ANFIS modeling considered a diameter ratio ranging from 0.57 to 0.80, a relative pitch ratio ranging from 0.046 to 0.107, a perforation index ranging from 5% to 20% as variable twisted tape parameters and flow parameters. The Reynolds number varies from 4000 to 30000. The analysis showed that the maximum thermo-hydraulic performance was obtained at a diameter ratio of 0.65, a relative pitch ratio of 0.085, and a perforation index equal to 10%. The result predicts that the ANFIS model and experimental results are in good agreement as they have only ±0.53% deviations.

Numerical research on thermal stress of steam cooler tube sheet mechanical structure

Steam cooler is one of the most important mechanical equipment in thermal power generation system and nuclear power generation system. The steam cooler bears a huge temperature gradient load when the working conditions are switched. In order to analyze the thermal stress of steam cooler tube sheet with high temperature load under harsh working conditions, the thermal-structural coupling analysis model of steam cooler tube sheet is constructed with finite element method. The results show that the stress concentration exists at the position connection between heat exchanger tube and cylinder. The maximum stress is located at the outermost heat exchanger tube with the peak stress of 320MPa. The heat exchanger tube layout alone cause higher stress. This situation should be avoided in the design of heat exchanger tube sheet. Furthermore, the strength and safety of the steam cooler tube sheet are evaluated with the stress linearization method. The steam cooler tube sheet design meets the safety requirements of structural strength under high temperature load.

Thermo-Fluidic Modelling of a Heat Exchanger Tube with Conical Shaped Insert having Protrusion and Dimple Roughness

In the present work, thermo-fluidic behavior of a heat exchanger tube with conical shaped insert has been investigated with the help of finite volume method. To enhance the heat transfer rate, two different types of roughness has been used in conical insert i.e. protrusion and dimple roughness. A three-dimensional computational model with RNG turbulence model is used for the simulation and it has been performed for three different diameters (3 mm, 6 mm and 9 mm) and two different pitch space (120 mm and 180 mm) for both protrusion and dimple roughness. The present model has been validated with Dittus-Boelter equation and with Blasius equation for Nusselt number and friction factor, respectively. For a constant heat flux of 1200 W/m2, effect of roughness, diameter and pitch on Nusselt number and friction factor has been predicted for Reynold number range of 5000 to 30000. From the result, it is found that, the protrusion shaped roughness has better thermal performance factor than dimple shape and diameter of 6 mm has performed better than 3 mm and 9 mm for both the cases of roughness due to favorable flow dynamics.

Feasibility of Lead Fast Reactor Heat Exchanger Tube Online Monitoring

Online structural health corrosion monitoring in advanced lead fast reactor heat exchangers and molten salt reactor heat exchangers is desirable for detecting tube degradation prior to leaks that may allow mixing of heat exchanger fluids or release of radiological contamination beyond the design containment boundary. This program demonstrates feasibility for a torsional mode sensor to attach to the outside of a long (30-m) heat-exchanger tube in the stagnant flow area where the tube joins the heat-exchanger plenum and where it is possible to protect a sensor and cable from high-force flows. The sensor must be connected by a cable to a monitoring instrument near the heat exchanger. The sensor and cable management approach will be impractical to implement on existing heat exchangers; rather, sensors must be installed in conjunction with heat exchanger fabrication. Previous work has shown the ability of low-temperature lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoceramic sensors to detect anomalies of interest in 3-m tubes. These sensors have subsequently been extended to a 30-m tube more representative of commercial power heat exchanger designs. The program will continue to investigate higher-temperature piezoelectric ceramics and long-term performance of high-temperature adhesives and sealants for 350 C lead reactor environments and higher-temperature (700 °C) molten salt environments.