Heat Exchanger Tubes 1

[TJW]

Does anyone have a good source for finned heat exchanger tubes?<br>
I have an application that requires straight tubes, 5/8&quot; OD x 80&quot; long with circumferential fins. The material is type 304 stainless steel and it must meet ASME Section VIII.<br>
I am located in Washington State, USA (the other Washington!) so something close by would help, but I'd appreciate any good source.<br>
<br>
Thanks<br>
Tom W.

 

[thumbs]

Try Energy Transfer, Inc. Phone 1-800-342-2680, and there are others.

 

[TJW]

thumbs,<br>
<br>
Thanks for the response. Energy Transfer is one I hadn't yet talked to. I think I did find a place that can do the job. The trick was that the customer needed fins that were 3/8&quot; high and they would not accept copper or aluminum, and I had a hard time finding someone that could do these fins in stainless or mild steel. Cannon Boiler Works in PA can apparently do it, but I'll give Energy Transfer a call.<br>
Thanks,<br>
Tom W

 

[JoePat]

Anybody had any experience expanding stainless tubes for a heat exchanger? Copper expansion is very common and is kind of the standard in the boiler business, we have a new one using stainless and we are wondering if you can expand it or have to weld it. I am leaning to welding because the stainless is so hard, anybody tried it?

 

[hokie96]

JoePat,

You may want to start a new tread on this topic.

In any case, it is not uncommon (at least within the refining industry) to have roll expanded stainless steel tubes in a heat exchanger. You should have no problem finding a heat exchanger fabricator with experience rolling stainless tubes. Try one of the TEMA contributing members, such as, Ohmstede, Cust-o-Fab or Energy Exchanger, if you'd like to get their opinion.

The decision to roll vs. weld also depends on the service fluid and operating conditions.

 

[rustbuster1]

Stainless steel HX tubes (and carbon steel, copper, etc.) can be seated/sealed in tubesheets by mechanical rolling expansion or by hydraulic expansion.

The latter is really slick (GM now makes some auto frames by hydrostatic shaping) and you can learn more about the Hydroswage process at

http://www.haskel.com.

Each expanded joint can be tested for leak tightness right after the expansion. However, a main advantage of this process in the first place is the high predictability of the expansion effect once the pressure is set up.

 

[Merzi]

Wolverine Tube Inc

Tel # (256) 890-0460