Tubesheet specification and design size

In the calculation of fixed tubesheet, the axial stress of shell, the axial stress of heat exchange tube and the pull-out force Q between heat exchange tube and tubesheet are calculated according to various working conditions with temperature difference. If one of them cannot meet the strength (or stability) conditions, it is necessary to set expansion joints.

In the strength check calculation of fixed tubesheet, when the tubesheet thickness is determined and no expansion joint is set, sometimes the tubesheet strength is not enough. After the expansion joint is set, the tubesheet thickness may meet the requirements. At this time, expansion joints can also be set to reduce the tubesheet, but it depends on the comprehensive evaluation of material consumption, manufacturing difficulty, safety and economic effect.

U-shaped expansion joint is commonly used in fixed tubesheet heat exchanger. It has the advantages of compact and simple structure, good compensation and low price.
With the large-scale of chemical equipment and power stations, the diameter of tubesheet is becoming larger and larger.

Tubesheet with diameter of 4m-5m is very common. Large tubesheet is characterized by large number of tube holes, dense, small diameter, deep, high precision and finish requirements.