When purchasing a shell and tube heat exchanger, many users place orders directly based on old drawings or estimated areas, ignoring the recommended flow velocity ranges for the tube side and shell side. The flow velocity of liquid in the tube side is generally 0.5–3.0 m/s, and in the shell side 0.2–1.5 m/s. Too low a flow velocity will accelerate fouling and reduce the heat transfer coefficient; too high a velocity will increase pressure drop and energy consumption. The GLC-160 shell and tube heat exchanger is designed based on common working conditions, offering multiple combinations of baffle spacing and number of tube passes to help purchasers narrow the deviation during the selection stage.
During selection, it is recommended to check the design pressure, design temperature, heat exchange area, and the inlet and outlet pipe diameters of the medium. For media containing suspended solids or prone to fouling, the shell side should adopt a removable structure to facilitate later mechanical cleaning. In addition, observe the readings of the pressure gauge and thermometer. If the inlet-outlet pressure difference rises by more than 0.05 MPa above the initial value, it usually means that fouling on the tube side or shell side has affected the heat transfer efficiency, and cleaning should be arranged. The GLC-160 has reserved pressure and temperature measurement ports at the channel head, making it convenient for daily inspection and trend recording.
This model can be used in scenarios such as HVAC circulating water, hydraulic oil cooling, and chemical intermediate heat exchange. Purchasers can first confirm the medium name, flow rate, and inlet and outlet temperatures, then back-calculate the required number of tube passes based on the flow velocity range, and finally match the standard shell diameter. If the site is restricted, the nozzle orientation can be adjusted through communication with the supplier, but simply reducing the shell size to meet installation requirements should be avoided; otherwise, the flow velocity will exceed the recommended range.
