One fluid flows inside a bundle of tubes, the other in the volume between the tubes and the outer shell. Heat passes through the tube wall with no contact between the two fluids, while the internal baffles guide the shell-side flow, increasing turbulence and therefore the efficiency of the heat transfer.

The shell and tube exchanger withstands much higher pressures and temperatures and is suitable for dirty or aggressive fluids, thanks to the removable configurations that allow cleaning and inspection. The plate heat exchanger is more compact and efficient for a given surface area, but has lower pressure and temperature limits and is more sensitive to fouling.

Mainly the heat transfer surface, the materials of the tubes, tubesheets and shell (carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex, titanium, nickel alloys), the TEMA construction type, the design pressure and temperature and the certifications required, such as PED or INAIL. For a reliable quotation we need the process data for both fluids: flow rates, inlet and outlet temperatures, pressures and allowable pressure drops.

Yes. In removable-bundle configurations (U-tube or floating head) the replacement tube bundle can be rebuilt to drawing, from a sample or by dimensional survey, keeping the existing shell. It is often the fastest and most economical solution in the event of corrosion or tube perforation, and it also allows a material upgrade.

For corrosive services we use stainless steels 316L, duplex and superduplex, titanium, copper-nickel 90/10 or nickel alloys such as Hastelloy, Incoloy and Monel, depending on the fluid, the temperature and the presence of chlorides. We support you in selecting the optimal material in relation to the expected service life and budget.