Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-pressure process equipment, specializing in custom shell and tube heat exchanger units, air coolers, and heavy-duty pressure vessels. Operating with certified ASME and TEMA manufacturing standards, we deliver engineered thermal processing solutions to petroleum refineries, chemical processing plants, and power generation facilities across the globe.
In addition to complete pressure equipment, Yuhong Group is a trusted supplier of precision-engineered replacement parts. Our inventory and custom fabrication capability cover high-efficiency finned tube bundle assemblies, u tube bundle units, straight seamless heat exchanger tubes, precision-machined heat exchanger tubesheet plates, baffles, floating head covers, and heavy forged flanges.
The floating head heat exchanger is one of the most widely specified types of shell & tube heat exchanger in severe process environments. Unlike fixed tubesheet units, one of its tubesheets is fixed to the shell, while the other (the floating tubesheet) is free to expand or contract longitudinally within an enlarged shell cover.
This floating design completely eliminates thermal stress generated by differential expansion between the shell and the internal tube bundle. Furthermore, the entire bundle can be completely withdrawn from the shell casing, enabling straightforward mechanical cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of both tube-side and shell-side surfaces.
We engineer floating head heat exchangers according to standard TEMA (Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association) configurations to match your process media and operational requirements:
TEMA AES / BES (Outside Packed Stuffing Box Head): Features an external packing gland surrounding the floating head. Ideal for low-pressure, non-hazardous service where quick bundle pull is required.
TEMA AET / BET (Pull-Through Floating Head): The floating head cover bolts directly to the floating heat exchanger tubesheet, allowing the entire tube bundle to be pulled through the shell without removing the shell cover.
TEMA AEW / BEW (Split Backing Ring Floating Head): Uses a two-piece split backing ring to clamp the floating head cover. Provides maximum heat transfer area for a given shell diameter while resisting high temperatures and pressures.
| Component | Technical Material Options | Function & Application Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Exchanger Tubes | Seamless/Welded Carbon Steel (A106B, A179), Stainless Steel (304L, 316L, 321, Duplex 2205/2507), Alloy Steel (P9, P11, P22), Titanium, Nickel Alloys. | Transfers thermal energy between fluids. Available in straight or u tube bundle layouts with plain or low-fin surfaces. |
| Heat Exchanger Tubesheet | SA516 Gr.70, SA240 304/316L, Forged SA105, SA182 F316L, Duplex Clad Steel (SA516+316L/2205). | Holds and seals tube ends under high differential pressures. Precision drilled with CNC machinery to eliminate bypass leakage. |
| Floating Head Assembly | SA516 Gr 70, Forged Carbon/Stainless Steel, Split Backing Rings (SA105/SA182). | Secures the floating heat exchanger tubesheet while allowing free axial expansion inside the shell cover. |
| Shell & Shell Cover | Heavy Wall Carbon Steel Pipe/Plate, Alloy Steel, Stainless Steel. | Houses the internal tube bundle and directs shell-side fluid across transverse baffles. |
| Baffles & Tie Rods | Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Brass (Segmental, Double Segmental, NTIW Baffles). | Supports heat exchanger tubes, prevents vibration damage, and optimizes shell-side fluid velocity and heat transfer. |
Thermal Stress Elimination: The floating head structure absorbs significant thermal expansion, preventing tube-to-tubesheet joint fatigue and thermal cracking during sudden temperature shifts.
Complete Removable Bundle Design: Easy bundle extraction simplifies mechanical jet-cleaning of heavy fouling fluids on both shell and tube sides.
High Temperature & High Pressure Tolerance: Engineered to operate reliably under severe temperature gradients (up to 550°C) and pressure levels exceeding 20+ MPa.
Direct Drop-In Component Supply: We fabricate individual replacement parts—including complete finned tube bundle units, replacement floating heads, and machined heat exchanger tubesheet spares—dimensionally matched to your existing field units.
When purchasing a floating head heat exchanger or replacement tube bundle, technical procurement teams should prioritize the following engineering considerations:
Fouling Factor & Fluid Placement: Highly fouling, corrosive, or dirty fluids should be routed through the tube side or shell side depending on bundle pull frequency. The pull-through design (TEMA T) significantly reduces turnaround downtime during plant maintenance.
Split Ring Metallurgy: Ensure split backing rings and floating head bolts are rated for severe atmospheric or sour gas service (NACE MR0175 compliance) to prevent stress corrosion cracking.
Gasket Integrity at Floating End: Use corrugated metal gaskets with flexible graphite or spiral wound gaskets at the internal floating head flange to guarantee zero internal inter-fluid cross-contamination.
Our floating head heat exchanger equipment and replacement tube bundle components are widely deployed across:
Petroleum Refining: Crude oil preheat trains, vacuum bottom coolers, hydrocracker feed/effluent exchangers, atmospheric tower overhead condensers.
Petrochemical & Chemical: Ethylene quench oil coolers, reboilers, aromatic process heaters, sour water strippers.
Oil & Gas Processing: High-pressure gas coolers, amine regeneration exchangers, glycol reboilers.
Looking for high-integrity floating head heat exchanger units, custom shell & tube heat exchanger spares, or direct factory tube bundle replacements?
Company: Yuhong Group Co., Ltd.
Website: www.tema-heatexchanger.com
Direct Email: jimmy@steelseamlesspipe.com
Design Standards: ASME Section VIII Div. 1, TEMA Class R/C/B, API 660, PED 2014/68/EU
