Baffle And Tube Sheet used in Heat Exchangers

What is tubesheet ?

A tube sheet is a plate which is used to support the tubes in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. The tubes are aligned in a parallel way, and supported and held in place by tube sheets. The tube sheet is a circular plate which is perforated so that the tubes can fit through the openings.

Baffles and tube sheets are both critical components in heat exchangers, but they serve different purposes and are located in different parts of the equipment.

A tube sheet is a flat plate with holes drilled through it, which is used to support and secure tubes in place within a shell and tube heat exchanger.
The tube sheet separates the two fluids that need to be heated or cooled from each other. One fluid flows through the tubes while the other flows around the outside (shell side).
Its primary function is to provide structural integrity and to hold the tubes in place, ensuring that there is no mixing between the two fluids.

Baffles are typically installed inside the shell of a shell and tube heat exchanger. They are plates or segments placed perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid on the shell side.

Their main purpose is to direct the flow of the shell-side fluid across the tubes multiple times, enhancing heat transfer efficiency by increasing turbulence and reducing dead zones where heat transfer would be minimal.

Baffles can also prevent the vibration of tubes due to flow-induced vibrations, thus protecting the tubes from damage.

while the tube sheet is essential for holding the tubes in place and preventing fluid mixing, baffles enhance heat transfer efficiency by directing the flow of shell-side fluid across the tubes.

Application

• Heat Exchangers and Condensers
• Seawater Systems
• Oil and Gas Industry
• Chemical Processing
• Power Generation
• Desalination Plants
• Petrochemical Industry
• Shipbuilding