An Investigation into Flow and Acoustic Coupling of Tubes in Gas Heat Exchanger Tube Banks

This is neither an original paper nor a review, but a comparative overview of two seemingly unrelated engineering fields. There are some similarities and strong dissimilarities between multipipe risers and tube arrays employed in heat exchangers. For example, square arrays are used in both, whereas “satellite” clusters cannot be found in heat exchangers. The extensive research on flow-induced vibrations in heat exchanger arrays reveals several mechanisms of excitation and sustenance of tube vibration. Some of the mechanisms identified for tube arrays may be relevant for marine risers. The main object of this comparative overview is to compile and discuss heat exchanger data which may be applicable to marine risers. Design guidelines are specified for satellite clusters.

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Prediction of Acoustic Vibration in Steam Generator and Heat Exchanger Tube Banks

Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology ◽

10.1115/1.2842185 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 118 (2) ◽

pp. 221-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

F. L. Eisinger ◽

J. T. Francis ◽

R. E. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Steam Generator ◽

Acoustic Vibration ◽

Heat Exchanger Tube ◽

Acoustic Parameters ◽

Transverse Acoustic ◽

Theoretical Predictions ◽

Tube Banks ◽

Service Data ◽

Exchanger Tube

Criteria are formulated for the development of acoustic vibration in transverse acoustic modes in steam generator tube banks, based on flow and acoustic parameters. Theoretical predictions are validated against available in-service data for nonvibrating and vibrating tube banks and published laboratory experimental data. The criteria can be used for the prediction of acoustic vibration in steam generator and heat exchanger tube banks both, in-line and staggered.

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Acoustic Vibration Behavior of Full Size Steam Generator and Tubular Heat Exchanger In-Line Tube Banks: A Brief Note

Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology ◽

10.1115/1.2938398 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 130 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Frantisek L. Eisinger ◽

Robert E. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Steam Generator ◽

Energy Parameter ◽

Acoustic Resonance ◽

Acoustic Vibration ◽

Heat Exchanger Tube ◽

Tubular Heat Exchanger ◽

Full Size ◽

Tube Banks ◽

Exchanger Tube

Based on recent laboratory experimental data by Feenstra et al. (2004, “The Effects of Duct Width and Baffles on Acoustic Resonance in a Staggered Tube Array,” in Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Flow-Induced Vibration FIV 2004, E. de Langre and F. Axisa, eds., Paris France, Jul. 6–9, pp. 459–464; 2006, “A Study of Acoustic Resonance in a Staggered Tube Array,” ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technol., 128, pp. 533–540), it has been determined that for larger test section widths, the maximum acoustic pressures generated during acoustic resonance were greater by more than a factor of 4 than those predicted by Blevins and Bressler (1993, “Experiments on Acoustic Resonance in Heat Exchanger Tube Bundles,” J. Sound Vib., 164, 503–533). We have evaluated a great number of resonant and nonresonant cases from in-service experience of full size steam generator and tubular heat exchanger tube banks in order to see the general vibratory behavior of the full size units. Fifteen vibrating and twenty-seven nonvibrating cases were evaluated and compared to the Feenstra et al. relationship. It is shown that on average the results from the full size units correlate well with the relationship of Feenstra et al. A gap exists between the vibratory and the nonvibratory cases. The nonvibratory cases produce acoustic pressures, which are at or below the Blevins and Bressler relationship. From the results, it can be concluded that the full size units, regardless of their size and also acoustic mode, produce high acoustic pressures at resonance, with the maximum acoustic pressure on average more than 50–75 times higher than the input energy parameter defined by the product of Mach number and pressure drop through the tube bank. The results are tabulated and plotted for comparison.

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Further Evidence for Acoustic Resonance in Full Size Steam Generator and Tubular Heat Exchanger Tube Banks

Volume 4: Fluid-Structure Interaction ◽

10.1115/pvp2009-77104 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Frantisek L. Eisinger ◽

Robert E. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Heat Exchanger ◽

Steam Generator ◽

Particle Velocity ◽

Acoustic Resonance ◽

Acoustic Vibration ◽

Heat Exchanger Tube ◽

Tubular Heat Exchanger ◽

Full Size ◽

Tube Banks ◽

Exchanger Tube

In the previous publications by Eisinger, F.L., Francis, J.T., and Sullivan, R.E., 1996, “Prediction of Acoustic Vibration in Steam Generator and Heat Exchanger Tube Banks”, ASME Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, Vol. 118, pp. 221–236 and Eisinger, F.L. and Sullivan, R.E., 1996, “Experience with Unusual Acoustic Vibration in Heat Exchanger and Steam Generator Tube Banks”, Journal of Fluids and Structures, Vol. 10, pp. 99–107, prediction criteria for acoustic vibration or acoustic resonance were formulated utilizing flow and acoustic parameters derived from operating steam generator tube banks. Various parameters were used in those formulations, including the dominant parameter MΔp where M is the Mach number of the crossflow through the tube bank and Δp is the pressure drop through the tube bank. Here we present further evidence derived from operating experience of full size steam generator and tubular heat exchanger tube banks of which 19 experienced acoustic vibration or acoustic resonance and 27 experienced no vibration or no acoustic resonance within the operating flow range. The present data show that the decisive parameter predicting the acoustic vibration or acoustic resonance of a tube bank is the acoustic particle velocity. The acoustic particle velocity separates the acoustically vibrating banks from those non-vibrating very clearly. The behavior is demonstrated graphically showing the dimensionless acoustic particle velocity as a function of input energy parameter MΔp, Mach number M, Reynolds number Re and also Helmholtz number He = MS where S is the Strouhal number. This finding indicates that the acoustic particle velocity criterion shall be used in conjunction with the previously used criteria as the basis for the prediction of acoustic resonance in full size steam generator and tubular heat exchanger tube banks.

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