Industrial Process Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers
Comprehensive, Built-to-Spec Solutions for Processing and Manufacturing Applications
Shell and tube heat exchangers are considered the core of heat transfer equipment in industrial processing applications, and are specified in an exceptionally broad range of designs for virtually every heat transfer application in chemical manufacturing, steel production, ethanol production, mining and mineral processing, pulp and paper, and other heavy industries. Valutech offers comprehensive design options for industrial process shell and tube heat exchangers to suit virtually all heat transfer needs — we work with our clients to understand process requirements and provide an optimal shell and tube solution for sustainable and efficient long-term operation while meeting all process and regulatory requirements. For information on shell and tube units specially designed for steam heating applications, please click here.
Our manufacturing partners have the capability to support the construction of shell and tube heat exchangers in an extremely wide range of sizes, materials, and design configurations using standard TEMA configurations such as BEU, AES, BEM, and AEU for industrial process applications. Available materials of construction include:
- 316 Stainless Steel
- Duplex SS
- Other Higher-Grade Alloys for Specialized, Abrasive, or Corrosive Applications
We have the expertise to size and specify the optimal shell and tube heat exchanger arrangement for your application using custom thermal sizing based on process fluid characteristics, available installation footprint, allowable pressure drop, operating pressures and temperatures, fouling tendencies, and maintenance requirements. Each Valutech custom solution is engineered around the specific demands of the process, with consideration for removable or fixed tube bundles, straight-tube, U-tube, or floating-head construction, single or multi-pass tube and shell-side flow arrangements, baffle configuration and spacing, expansion joints, vent and drain requirements, and connection types. Additional design capabilities include:
- Large shell-side clearances and optimized baffle arrangement to reduce pressure drop and shear
stress in viscous fluids; - Corrosion-resistant tube materials to accommodate cooling water quality and salinity levels; and
- Enhanced baffle arrangements and tube support systems to minimize vibration.
For applications with strict quality assurance needs and other site-specific requirements, we provide the following testing and accompanying documentation with our industrial process shell and tube solutions:
- Hydrostatic pressure testing to verify pressure boundary integrity and leak-tightness;
- Pneumatic leak testing;
- Dye Penetrant Testing (DPT) for surface weld defect inspection;
- Radiographic examination of critical welds;
- Positive Material Identification (PMI) for alloy verification;
- Helium leak testing for high-purity or critical containment applications;
- Material Test Reports (MTRs) and full material traceability packages; and
- Third-party inspection and witness testing.
Our shell and tube units are provided with the necessary documentation and manufactured to code for virtually all industrial processing application requirements. Available codes and certifications include:
- ASME U-Stamp
- Canadian Registration Number (CRN)
- Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)
Available documentation packages include:
- General Arrangement and Fabrication Drawings
- ASME Data Reports
- Material Test Reports
- Hydrostatic Test Reports
- Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) Reports
- PMI Reports
- Welding Records
- Operation And Maintenance Manuals
- Other Project-Specific Quality Control Documentation