Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. engineers and fabricates custom shell and tube heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and air coolers for thermal processing industries worldwide. Our product portfolio includes fixed tubesheet, U-tube, and floating head configurations, along with replacement tube bundles, U-bend tubes, finned tubes, and exchanger components such as tubesheets, baffles, channels, and floating head assemblies. All pressure equipment is ASME U Stamp certified, ensuring compliance with international safety and quality standards.
The ASME Certificated Floating Head Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger is designed and fabricated in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1, and meets TEMA Standards for mechanical design, construction, and tolerances. The floating head configuration—available in TEMA types AES, AET, BET, BEP, and AEP—features one tubesheet fixed at the channel end and a floating tubesheet at the rear head that is not rigidly connected to the shell. This allows the tube bundle to expand and contract independently of the shell, accommodating differential thermal expansion without requiring expansion joints or inducing stress on tubesheet joints. The removable bundle design provides full access to external tube surfaces for mechanical cleaning, inspection, and tube replacement, making this exchanger type the preferred choice for fouling services and processes requiring frequent maintenance.
| Component | Typical Material Standards | Design Function |
|---|---|---|
| Shell & Shell Cover | ASME SA516 Gr.70 (carbon steel) or SA240 316L (stainless) | Contains shell-side fluid; material selected based on process corrosivity and temperature |
| Channel & Channel Cover | ASME SA516 Gr.70 or SA240 316L | Houses tube-side inlet/outlet; removable for tube end access |
| Stationary Tubesheet | ASME SA182 F316L or SA266 Gr.2 | Fixed-end tube support; welded or bolted to channel |
| Floating Tubesheet | ASME SA266 Gr.2 or SA182 F316L | Free to move axially; not welded to shell, enabling thermal expansion |
| Heat Exchanger Tubes | ASME SA213 TP304L / TP316L (seamless) | Primary heat transfer surface; plain or low-finned tubes available |
| Baffles | ASME SA516 Gr.70 or SA240 316L | Support tubes and direct shell-side flow for optimal heat transfer |
| Floating Head Assembly | Cover, gasket, and bolting | Allows bundle to expand/contract independently of shell; easily removable for maintenance |
Design pressure: Up to 30 MPa (shell). Design temperature: -100°C to 550°C. Heat exchange area: 5 to 3,000 m², fully customizable to thermal duty. Tube diameters: Φ19×2 mm, Φ25×2.5 mm, Φ38×3 mm, optimized for heat transfer efficiency.
| Test/Inspection | Standard / Method | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrostatic Test | 1.3 × Design Pressure (ASME VIII-1) | No visible leakage or permanent deformation |
| Radiographic Examination (RT) | ASME VIII-1, UW-51 | Full penetration weld joints; no unacceptable discontinuities |
| Liquid Penetrant Examination (PT) | ASME VIII-1, Appendix 8 | Surface examinations on pressure boundary components |
| Material Traceability | ASME SA / ASTM standards | Full documentation from mill to finished product |
| Dimensional Inspection | TEMA Standards / Customer Drawings | Within specified tolerances |
| Pneumatic Test | Optional per ASME VIII-1 | When specified for gas service applications |
Oil & Gas Upstream: Cooling produced fluids, gas dehydration systems, and amine regeneration units
Petroleum Refining: Crude oil preheat trains, atmospheric and vacuum distillation units, hydrotreating and catalytic cracking services
Chemical Processing: Heat recovery systems, reactor effluent cooling, and corrosive chemical streams
Power Generation: Feedwater heaters, condensers, and cooling water systems
Metallurgy & Large-Scale Industrial Processing: High-temperature heat recovery and process cooling
ASME U Stamp Assurance: Every exchanger is designed, fabricated, inspected, and stamped in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1. This provides global recognition of safety, quality control, and material traceability.
Stress-Free Thermal Expansion: The floating head design completely isolates the tube bundle from the shell, allowing unrestricted differential thermal expansion. This prevents stress buildup and is critical for high-temperature applications or large temperature differences between shell-side and tube-side fluids.
Superior Maintainability: The entire tube bundle can be withdrawn after removing the rear cover, granting full access to the external tube surfaces for mechanical cleaning, inspection, or tube replacement. This makes it ideal for services prone to fouling, scaling, or sediment formation.
Corrosion-Resistant Material Options: Tubes available in ASME SA213 TP304L, TP316L, titanium, copper-nickel alloy, and nickel alloy. Shell materials include carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and duplex stainless steel, selected based on medium corrosivity.
Tube-to-Tubesheet Joint Options: Expanded, seal-welded, or strength-welded connections, selected based on service requirements and thermal cycling conditions.
Custom Engineering: Full customization of design pressure, design temperature, heat exchange area, tube diameter and layout, baffle spacing and cut, nozzle orientation, and material selection to match specific process conditions.
Q: When should a floating head exchanger be specified over a fixed tubesheet or U-tube design?
Floating head exchangers are specified for process conditions where fixed tubesheet or U-tube designs are unsuitable due to large temperature differentials (typically >50°C between shell and tube sides), high fouling tendencies requiring frequent mechanical cleaning, or when the tube bundle must be removable for inspection and replacement. Unlike U-tube designs, floating head exchangers allow straight tubes, which provide higher heat transfer efficiency and easier internal cleaning of individual tubes.
Q: What is the difference between TEMA types AES, AET, BET, and AEP?
The TEMA nomenclature defines the front head, shell, and rear head configurations. AES features a removable channel cover, a fixed tubesheet shell, and a floating rear head with backing device. AET has a removable channel cover with an integral tubesheet, a fixed tubesheet shell, and a floating rear head. BET has a bonnet-type front head, a fixed tubesheet shell, and a floating rear head. AEP features a removable channel cover, a fixed tubesheet shell, and a floating rear head with a split backing ring. Selection depends on maintenance access requirements and piping configuration.
For technical specifications, material selection guidance, or custom engineering inquiries, please contact: vladimir@steelseamlesspipe.com.
