Finite Element Analysis Of The Tubesheet In A Large Fixedtube Sheet Heat Exchanger

Shell and tube heat exchangers are typical process equipment widely used in petrochemical industries. Tubesheet is the most important part, which is used to connect shell, tube bundle and channel and bear pressure, temperature load and other loads. For a large tubesheet, performing stress analysis is especially useful for saving the material while keeping sufficient strength of the tubesheet.In this paper, 3-D finite element solid parametrized model of tubesheet is established. Temperature distribution of the model is obtained, in which "skin effect theory" described in ASME code is verified. Stress field in the tubesheet is calculated and Strength is checked according to the JB4732-1998 standard. Results show that besides P_m (general primary membrane stress) of shell as a controlling factor, P_L+P_b+Q (primary stress plus secondary stress) located at the connecting fillet of tubesheeet and shell, also plays key role in the operating case of temperature load and shell side pressure. The thennal...