"U" Tube Bundle - How to Measure
Below is a step-by-step description of all the component parts of a tube bundle that are required for duplication. Please note the corresponding component numbers on the drawing on page six.1. |
"D" BUNDLE DIAMETER - This is the
overall diameter required to fit the bundle in an existing shell
or tank. This dimension includes any baffles or tube supports. A
good way to get an accurate "D" diameter to measure the circumference
and divide by 3.14. This gives you the diameter of the bundle. |
| 2. |
"OAL" - OVERALL LENGTH - Measured from the face
of the tubesheet over the entire length to include the last bend. |
| 3. |
"T" - TUBESHEET THICKNESS - Tubesheet thickness
varies from 5/8" to 3" thick. |
| 4. |
"TSD" - TUBESHEET DIAMETER - The tubesheet diameter
is always larger than the "D" dimension or bundle diameter. |
| 5.-6.-7. |
BOLT HOLES - Some tubesheets have bolt holes and some do
not. Often the bolts that go through the head and shell bypass the
tubesheet - that is the bolts go around the tubesheet and not through
it. In this case there is no bolt hole pattern and 5-6-7 are not
applicable. The tubesheet is boltless. |
| 8. |
NUMBER BAFFLES - Please see not on page six. |
| 9. |
BAFFLE SPACING - Distance between baffles or tube
supports if there are tube supports in lieu of baffles. |
| 10. |
TUBE DIAMETER - Typical tube diameters are 3/8", 1/2",
5/8", 3/4", 1 1/4" O.D.. Most steam converters and water/water exchangers
are 3/4" O.D.. Please note that 3/4" O.D. tubes have approximately 5/8"
I.D.s . Some tank heater bundles have 1 1/4" O.D. tubes. |
| 11. |
TUBE MATERIALS - Most HVAC exchangers have copper tubes
and these are easy to identify. There are alternate tube materials available
if you need them. Some examples are: 90/10 or 70/30 cupro-nickle, carbon
steel, stainless steel, carpenter 20 or exotic materials like titanium. |
| 12. |
TUBE THICKNESS - Most 3/4" O.D. copper tubes are 18 GA and
most 1 1/4" O.D. copper tubes are 16 GA. USA recommends and uses 16 GA
for both O.D.s. Heavier walls are available if required. |
| 13. |
STRAIGHT TUBES - Some bundles have tubesheets at both ends
and there are straight tubes between. Count the number of Straight tubes. |
| 14. |
"U" TUBES - Most replacement bundles are "U" tube type. Count
the number of complete "U"s. |
| 15. |
SHELL or SLEEVE DIAMETER - Specify the O.D. or I.D. of the unit
that the bundle will slide into. What we are really interested in identifying is
the space available to slide the bundle into. |
| 16. |
TUBE PASSES - Look at the tubesheet to identify the number of
passes the liquid or steam makes through the tubes. Most bundles are 2 pass, but
can be 4 or 6 pass also. |
| 17. |
TUBESHEET MATERIAL - Most tubesheets are carbon steel, because
this is the most economical material available. Alternate materials are:
stainless steel, carpenter 20, titanium, copper faced steel or brass. |